Biological control of the mosquito: An analysis of the impediments and possibilities (original) (raw)

An approach to sustainable control of mosquitoes

International Journal of Mosquito Research

Arthropods are most dominant being, as they have highest number of species and most ancient group of animal kingdom. Mosquitoes are most diverse group of arthropods that are carriers of human diseases viz. dengue, malaria, chikungunya etc. which are not fully cured yet (in the manner of vaccinations or medications). For this purpose mosquito vector control is still the primary method of avoidance. Broad-spectrum use of conventional insecticides (larvicides along with the adulticides) during disease transmission times, are the main stays of control methods. Due to the drawbacks of conventional tactics, specifically the emergence of insecticide resistance and environmental pollution, major attempts have been made to explore new eco-friendly techniques. Therefore, biological control use as an alternative strategy that target a variety of mosquito species without causing harm to the environment or adding unnecessary risks to human health. Here in this review, we discussed biological tactics that have been used or are being tried out to control mosquito vectors.

A review on biological mosquito control measures-past, present and future

World Journal Of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2022

Over 40% of the world's population is under danger from mosquito transmitted diseases, which are a growing global health challenge. Since 2000, malaria control has made significant progress, but of late it has slowed down. Aedes-borne arbovirus risk is also rising quickly due to the remarkable expansion of the dengue and chikungunya viruses, yellow fever outbreaks, and the Zika virus pandemic. To counteract this issues people used many vector control measures. Synthetic pesticides play a significant role in mosquito larval and adult control strategies, although their deployment is hampered by the development of resistance. As an alternative, various biological measures are being used including bacterial bio pesticides. They are extremely effective at controlling larvae due to their lack of resistance development and environmental friendliness. In this present review various biological control measures used for mosquito control are discussed.

A review on different strategies used for biological control of mosquitoes

International Journal of Mosquito Research, 2019

More than 3000 species of mosquitoes are responsible for millions of death annually. Adult females of most species have proboscis to feed on blood of many hosts such as mammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, fishes and even other arthropods. They use blood not for their own nourishments but as a source of protein for their eggs. In addition many species can ingest pathogens while biting and transmit them to host, which makes them vectors of many diseases like malaria, dengue, Chikungunya, Zika, encephalitis, yellow fever, filariasis, West Nile etc. Biocontrol agents may be predators, pathogens, parasites or competitors. Different biocontrol agents include fishes, tadpoles, lizards, cannibalistic mosquito species, dragonflies, bugs, mites, copepods, helminthes, planarians, bacteria, fungus etc. This review presents information on different biocontrol strategies used in past and present with their status and potential of use in mosquito control.

A Review on Vector Borne Diseases and Various Strategies to Control Mosquito Vectors

Indian Journal of Entomology

Mosquito vector transmit serious infectious diseases that include dengue, chikungunya, malaria, filariasis, leishmaniasis, Japanese encephalitis, west Nile fever, yellow fever and rift valley fever. Insecticides-based control measures have historically and currently been an important control approach against major mosquito-borne diseases. Chemical pesticides, on the other hand, are non-selective and can harm other beneficial organisms. Controlling mosquitoes with entomopathogenic bacteria is a convincing, ecologically acceptable alternative to chemical pesticides. Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis and Bacillus sphaericus are insecticidal microorganisms which are spore forming and these bacteria are the most extensively utilised alternative mosquito control agents, considering the rapid development of resistance, especially to B. sphaericus by the larvae of Culex spp. Under this circumstances, it is necessary to find an alternative biological control agents from natural resources. T...

Effective Mechanisms to Control Mosquito Borne Diseases: A Review

American Journal of Clinical Neurology and Neurosurgery , 2019

Mosquitoes are considered as the most fatal and lethal organisms in the world causing millions of deaths annually around the world. Deaths caused by malaria alone was reached to 4,38,000 deaths in 2015. A variety of diseases are caused by mosquitoes as vectors. The important ones are Dengue Fever, Malaria, Yellow Fever, West Nile Virus, Rift Valley Fever, Chikungunya, Japanese Encephalitis and some others. In this review we comprise and acknowledge the role of WHO in relation to efforts against the alarming situations of mosquito borne diseases. The major roles of WHO to eradicate disease risks are (1) giving evidence-based direction for monitoring vectors. (2) provide technical support to countries. (3) support countries to advance their reporting systems. (4) provide training on clinical management, diagnosis and vector control. (5) support the growth and evaluation of new tools, technologies and tactics for vector borne diseases. Here, various tactics are discussed which could be helpful in the management methods against mosquito borne diseases in a very feasible, inexpensive and eco-friendly fashion. Therefore, it was evaluated that the mosquito eating fish (Gambusia affinis and Poecilia reticulata) Copepods (Macrocyclops albidus Jurine), larvae of Odonata species and aquatic insects, including backswimmers (Buenoa pallipes Fabricius) were the most-often detected predators and it was a very simplest method to limit the mosquito populations. Source reduction is a very crucial factor. Source reduction mainly concerns with prevention of development of mosquito's larvae by eliminating their breeding sites mostly including tactics such as drainage, filling, drains and drainage of irrigation courses. After recognizing primary breeding sites accountable for disease transmission, it is quick to start a selective larval control action, which has been called species sanitation. A great variety of plants species found in the World that exerts a great impact on repelling mosquitoes. Some DEET based compounds proved an average protection from mosquitoes ranges from 22.9-94.6 minutes with different active ingredients. Some plant essential oils such as thyme oil, catnip oil, amyris oil, eucalyptus oil, and cinnamon oil were checked contrary to three mosquito species: Aedes albopictus, Ae. aegypti, and Culex pipiens Pallens and give significant results and repellent efficacy. Hence, there is a need of compatibility and integration of all above discussed mechanisms to acquire good results in context to prevention and eradication of arboborne/mosquito borne diseases.

Advances in Mosquito Control: A Comprehensive Review

Advances in Diptera - Insight, Challenges and Management Tools

Mosquitoes are the important global vectors transmitting diseases of human concern such as dengue, Chikungunya, Malaria, encephalitis and yellow fever, etc. Management of mosquito-borne diseases largely relies on the vector management because of the lack of effective medication and vaccination. Several strategies have been formulated and applied in the fields to control mosquitoes; yet there is a continued rise in mosquito-borne diseases leading to sufferings and morbidities. Presently, chemical interventions are the most preferred methods which has impacted human health and the environment negatively. These issues have created a demand to devise novel approaches which can be used safely and effectively for mosquito management. Thus, several innovative mosquito control interventions have been devised based on genetic, physical and behavioral modifications in mosquitoes. These strategies span from Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) Release of Insects Carrying a Dominant Lethal (RIDL), cr...

Environment friendly management of mosquito: a short review

Bangladesh Journal of Scientific and Industrial Research, 2018

Despite the large scale use of insecticides, capacity building, municipality, community and metropolis awareness, and preventive measures to counter vector borne diseases which are mounting day-by-day, new tools are now been introducing to prevent the spread of mosquito transmitted diseases. The low efficacy status of chemical pesticides have lead to the interest of researchers in search of fresh and even more practicable vector control methodologies to be applied. In this regards, multiple alternatives have been monitoring to develop control practice measures for the eradication, observation and control of mosquitoes at larval level by the use of a sustainable biological monitoring and control by an ordinary constructive predator, to exercise monitoring and practical control measures over parasites at larval stages in environmental and eco-friendly techniques. In particular, bio-control measures to monitor and control practical practices, context predatory larvivorous fish, dragonf...

Biotechnological Potential of Microorganisms for Mosquito Population Control and Reduction of Vector Competence

Mosquitoes transmit pathogens that cause human diseases such as malaria, Dengue fever, Chikungunya, yellow fever, Zika fever, and filariasis. Chemical pesticides are effective instruments for reducing disease transmission and managing mosquito populations. However, these chemicals have drawbacks such as high production costs and negative effects on the environment and non-target organisms. Furthermore, as mosquitoes develop resistance to chemical insecticides, they become less effective. As a result, researchers are investigating novel insecticides. Advances in microbial biotechnology have resulted in a wide range of value-added products, including biopesticides for agricultural and public health purposes. In this review, we highlight the mainly untapped biotechnological potential of microorganisms for vector mosquito control and disease transmission reduction. Also, we underline the importance of more basic research and improved translational research methodologies, encouraging eff...

Innovative Methods of Mosquito Management

Advances in Diptera - Insight, Challenges and Management Tools [Working Title]

As the global human and animal population increases, deadly pathogens and parasites may be transmitted by arthropods. There are a number of vectors that pose a threat to human health due to their role in transmitting dangerous pathogens, including mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae). The most important drawback of these products is the incidence of insecticide resistance, which has increased rapidly in recent years. New approaches and vector-control tools targeting aquatic stages and adults are urgently needed. The three main mosquito genera, Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex, transmit the causative agents of numerous important diseases to humans as well as animals. A technique that involves the use of genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes for the purpose of vector control is another potential option. Other best ways to control the mosquito are by chemical, biological and genetic means.

Entomopathogenic organisms: conceptual advances and real-world applications for mosquito biological control

Open Access Insect Physiology, 2016

Recently, advances have been made in the use of entomopathogenic fungi for the control of not only crop pests but also disease vectoring insects. New approaches, for example, combining control strategies such as the application of conventional insecticides and biological control agents together, are highly promising, especially as many insecticides are compatible with entomopathogenic fungi. In this review, we discuss some of the new approaches being developed for vector control. Governmental authorities must implement rational integrated vector management programs for reducing deaths and suffering caused by insect-vectored diseases. Although there are now many alternatives to conventional chemical control methods, the use of pesticides is still the mainstay of mosquito control measures. However, mosquitoes are rapidly developing resistance to the chemical insecticides in use at the moment. The deployment of entomopathogenic fungi for the control of all stages of the mosquito life cycle is an alternative strategy currently being investigated by many different research groups. It has been shown that entomopathogenic fungi can efficiently kill mosquito larvae and adults in laboratory and field conditions. However, an important aspect of this new approach is how to apply these biological control agents economically and efficiently. By using combinations of control agents and novel application systems, it may be possible to significantly reduce mosquito populations to levels at which epidemics of malaria, dengue fever, zika virus, and chikungunya do not occur.