MYCOLab Ai Logo - gold and army green

Beauveria bassiana associated with a novel biomimetic hydrogel to control Aedes albopictus through lure and kill ovitraps

Summary

Researchers developed a new gel-based trap that combines a natural fungus (Beauveria bassiana) with specially designed hydrogels to control Asian tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus), which spread dangerous diseases like Zika and dengue. The gel traps work by both mechanically trapping mosquito eggs and infecting them with the fungus, achieving over 90% effectiveness. This approach offers a chemical-free alternative to traditional insecticides and could be more cost-effective than current methods.

Background

Chemical insecticides remain the primary vector control tool but their overuse has led to insecticide resistance in Aedes albopictus, a global vector of arboviruses. Ovitraps have shown potential as control methods but have limitations in duration and performance. Novel approaches combining hydrogels with entomopathogenic fungi offer sustainable alternatives to chemical control.

Objective

To develop a long-lasting, cost-effective lure-and-kill oviposition substrate by combining Beauveria bassiana with biodegradable hydrogels (HEC and SA-based) for lethal ovitraps against Aedes albopictus. The study aimed to assess fungal survival, growth, and lethal efficacy against mosquito eggs.

Results

Gel systems extended Bb longevity up to 24 days compared to liquid suspensions. HEC-based systems with nutrients (Bb CS-2 HEC16) showed the highest CFU/mL values and achieved 94% corrected mortality (CM%) against Ae. albopictus eggs at 15 days contact. Morphological analysis revealed combined mechanical trapping and fungal action mechanisms.

Conclusion

HEC-based Bb/Gel systems proved to be suitable delivery substrates supporting Bb activity while effectively controlling Ae. albopictus eggs through combined mechanical and fungal mechanisms. Further semi-field and field studies are needed to evaluate efficacy on adult mosquitoes, attraction, oviposition rates, and autodissemination potential.
  • Published in:Pest Management Science,
  • Study Type:Experimental Study,
  • Source: PMID: 39415668, DOI: 10.1002/ps.8476
Scroll to Top