Autor(es): Darbro, Jonathan M.; Johnson, Petrina H.; Thomas, Matthew B.; Ritchie, Scott A.; Kay, Brian H.; Ryan, Peter A.

Resumo: The fungus Beativeria bassiana reduces Aedes aegypti longevity in laboratory conditions, but effects on survival, blood-feeding behavior, and fecundity in realistic environmental conditions have not been tested. Adult, female Ae. aegypti infected with B. bassiana (F1-277) were monitored for blood-feeding success and fecundity in the laboratory. Fungal infection reduced mosquito-human contact by 30%. Fecundity was reduced by (mean +/- SD) 29.3 +/- 8.6 eggs per female per lifetime in the laboratory; egg batch size and viability were unaffected. Mosquito survival, blood-feeding behavior, and fecundity were also tested in 5 meter x 7 meter x 4 meter semi-field cages in northern Queensland, Australia. Fungal infection reduced mosquito survival in semi-field conditions by 59-95% in large cages compared with 61-69% in small cages. One semi-field cage trial demonstrated 80% reduction in blood-feeding; a second trial showed no significant effect. Infection did not affect fecundity in large cages. Beauveria bassiana can kill and may reduce biting of Ae. aegypti in semi-field conditions and in the laboratory. These results further support the use of B. bassiana as a potential biocontrol agent against Ae. aegypti.

Palavras-Chave: Fungus metarhizium - Anisopliae; African malaria mosquitos; Anopheles - Gambiae-S.S.; Entomopathogenic fungus; Insecticide resistance; Diptera - Culicidae; Infection; Susceptibility; Vectors; Transmission

Imprenta: American Journal of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene, v. 86, n. 4, p. 656-664, 2012

Identificador do objeto digital: 10.4269/ajtmh.2012.11-0455

Descritores: Aedes aegypti - Dengue ; Aedes aegypti - Public health

Data de publicação: 2012

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