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ARS Home » Midwest Area » Peoria, Illinois » National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research » Crop Bioprotection Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #310926
Title: Ovicidal activity of Metarhizium brunneum (Mb F52) on dengue fever vector, Aedes aegypti

Author
item Weiler, Lina
item Behle, Robert
item Strickman, Daniel
item Rooney, Alejandro - Alex

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 11/21/2014
Publication Date: 11/21/2014
Citation: Weiler, L., Behle, R.W., Strickman, D.A., Rooney, A.P. 2014. Ovicidal activity of Metarhizium brunneum (Mb F52) on dengue fever vector, Aedes aegypti [abstract]. Illinois Mosquito and Vector Control Association.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The ovicidal activity of Metarhizium brunneum F52 (Mb F52) grown from granules was evaluated against Aedes aegypti eggs over time. Survival of larvae from treated eggs was significantly less when compared with untreated eggs at 7, 10 and 14 days post treatment. Only 27 % of treated eggs produced viable larvae 7 days post treatment and 1% produced larvae at 10 and 14 days post treatment. Many fungus treated eggs eclosed prematurely, a factor that contributed to fewer surviving larvae. Up to 97% of the treated eggs hatched prematurely within10-14 days post treatment. Treatments with increasing concentrations of conidia also stimulated increases in premature eclosion. These results demonstrate that eggs were highly susceptible to the fungus. In evaluating ovicidal activity of different fungal species against A. aegypti eggs, Mb F52, Tolypocladium cylindrosporum and Isaria fumosorosea displayed a significantly reduction in larval hatch. Targeting eggs to suppress mosquito populations may provide an effective strategy in controlling the critical vector of dengue fever, A. aegypti. Mb F52 is now formulated as granules and is a promising mycoinsecticide against mosquitoes. The feasibility of applying the Mb F52 formulated granules in baited containers to attract ovipositing females and other oviposition habitats of aedine mosquitoes will be explored.