Abstract
Entomopathogenic fungi can achieve important innovative outcomes for integrated mosquito control especially of Aedes aegypti, the key vector of arboviruses to humans in the tropics and subtropics. This study sought to design and to develop a simple dissemination device to attract and to infect gravid A. aegypti adults with a granular formulation of the ascomycete Metarhizium humberi IP 46, and to validate this device in the laboratory as well as in semi-field and field conditions. Hydrogel (polyacrylamide potassium polyacrylate) was confirmed to be a suitable substitute for water used in the device that attracted gravid females under field conditions. Females laid eggs on black polyethylene terephthalate carpet fixed in the device that also proved to be a suitable substrate for a granular formulation of fungal microsclerotia and/or conidia. The plastic device (29.5 cm high) was divided into a lower closed compartment with a water reservoir and an upper, laterally open but covered compartment with continuously hydrated gel and the fungal formulation attached to the carpet. The uppermost compartment permitted free circulation of mosquito adults. The device attracted both male and female A. aegypti. The fungal formulations of IP 46 propagules tested in the device were effective against adults in laboratory, semi-field, and field settings. Findings in the laboratory, semi-field, and especially in field conditions strengthen the value and utility of this innovative device for focal applications of a mycoinsecticide against this important mosquito vector.
Key points
• Low-cost and simple disseminating device for focal control of Aedes aegypti.
• Granulized Metarhizium humberi IP 46 and hydrogel yield extended control.
• Findings in field tests strengthen benefit of the device for focal application.
Graphical abstract
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Data availability
Data available on request.
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Acknowledgements
Authors thank the staff of Public Health Departments in Terezópolis and Goiânia in particular Célia Maria Ferreira Santos for their support during field tests and Bruno Lorham de Souza for technical assistance at IPTSP.
Funding
This study was supported by the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development, CNPq, Coordination of the Improvement of Higher Education, CAPES/MEC, CNPq/MCTI and Brazilian Ministry of Health, Decit/SCTIE/MS (440506/2016) and scholarships to JMM and JR (both CAPES). We also thank CNPq for the grants PQ 306319/2018–7 to ÉKKF and PQ 311672/2016–7 to CL.
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CL, JMM, JR, RNM, GMM, ÉKKF, and RAH conceived the research. JMM, JR, and CL designed the experiments. JMM, JR, and CL performed the experiments. CL, JR, JMM, and RAH wrote the paper. All authors read and approved the manuscript.
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JMM, JR, ÉKKF, and CL declare patent application at INPI (Instituto Nacional de Propriedade Industrial, Brazil) about the device in progress.
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Martinez, J.M., Rodrigues, J., Marreto, R.N. et al. Efficacy of focal applications of a mycoinsecticide to control Aedes aegypti in Central Brazil. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 105, 8703–8714 (2021). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-021-11644-w
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00253-021-11644-w