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Optimizing the Application Timing and Dosage of<i>Metarhizium brunneum</i>(Hypocreales: Clavicipitaceae) as a Biological Control Agent of<i>Aedes aegypti</i>(Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae

A M Alkhaibari Orcid Logo, M J Wood Orcid Logo, S I Yavasoglu, James Bull Orcid Logo, Tariq Butt Orcid Logo

Journal of Medical Entomology, Volume: 60, Issue: 2, Pages: 339 - 345

Swansea University Authors: James Bull Orcid Logo, Tariq Butt Orcid Logo

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DOI (Published version): 10.1093/jme/tjac186

Abstract

Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) is the principal vector of dengue and other viruses that cause disease among 100 to 400 million people each year. The recent development of widespread insecticidal resistance has led to the rapid development of biological control solutions aimed at larval control....

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Published in: Journal of Medical Entomology
ISSN: 0022-2585 1938-2928
Published: Oxford University Press (OUP) 2023
Online Access: Check full text

URI: https://cronfa.swan.ac.uk/Record/cronfa63000
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Abstract: Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) is the principal vector of dengue and other viruses that cause disease among 100 to 400 million people each year. The recent development of widespread insecticidal resistance has led to the rapid development of biological control solutions aimed at larval control. While the efficacy of Metarhizium brunneum has been shown against Aedes larvae, the impact of larval population dynamics will need to be determined to formulate effective control strategies. In this study, larvae were subjected to four concentrations of M. brunneum (105, 106, 107, 108 conidia ml-1). Larvae were found to be susceptible to M. brunneum with dose-dependent efficacy. When constant larval immigration was added as a parameter, peak mortality was consistently found to occur on the fourth day, before a significant reduction in control efficacy linked to a decline in conidial availability within the water column. This suggests that M. brunneum treatments should be applied at a concentration 1 Ă— 107 conidia ml-1 every four days to effectively control mosquito larvae in the field, regardless of the fungal formulation, water volume, or larval density. Understanding fungal-mosquito dynamics is critical in developing appropriate control programs as it helps optimize the fungal control agent's dose and frequency of application.
College: Faculty of Science and Engineering
Funders: This work is supported by the Deanship of Scientific Research at the University of Tabuk under grant (S-1440-0214) and by the Knowledge Economy Skills Scholarships initiative; part funded by the Welsh Government’s European Social Fund (ESF) convergence program for West Wales and the Valleys with industry support from AgriSense BCS Ltd.
Issue: 2
Start Page: 339
End Page: 345