Research Entomologist
CONTACT
Phone: (309) 681-6194
Fax:
Room: 2105A
USDA ARS NCAUR
1815 N University
Peoria, IL 61604
EDUCATION
PhD, Entomology, University of Illinois, 2007
MS, Parasitology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya, 2004
B.ed., Biology, Kenyatta University, Nairobi, Kenya, 2001
AREA OF EXPERTISE
Vector control, mosquito-microbe interaction, vector ecology, integrated vector management.
RESEARCH INTERESTS
Mosquito-borne diseases present a major economic and public health challenge throughout the world. Although chemical insecticides have played a major role in combating these diseases, their sustained use is currently threatened by the rapid emergence of insecticide resistance and concerns regarding detrimental effects of these insecticides to the environment. My research uses an interdisciplinary approach to better understand the biology and ecology of vector mosquitoes, and to develop novel, ecofriendly and sustainable strategies for mosquito control. In particular, my research focuses on the discovery and development of microbial and plant-derived biopesticides that can complement other vector control strategies within the framework of integrated vector management.
LAB MEMBERS / SUPPORT STAFF / VISITING SCIENTISTS
Current:
Bruce Zilkowski (Biological Science Laboratory Technician)
Joy Hensold (Summer Student Researcher Intern)
Nicholas Brose (Summer Student Researcher Intern)
Alumni:
Kevin Foley (Summer Student Researcher Intern)
COLLABORATION / COOPERATION:
National:
University of Illinois
International:
International Center of Insect Physiology and Ecology (ICIPE), Nairobi, Kenya.
Publications Indexed by Scopus
Click here to view Scopus entries for Ephantus J. Muturi
(The Scopus results may not reflect a complete or accurate listing for this scientist).
Environmentally-Friendly, Microbial and Plant-Based Agents for Mosquito Control In-House Appropriated (D) Accession Number:438858 
Community Assembly Across Scales of Ecological Organization Reimbursable Cooperative Agreement (R) Accession Number:435908
will take you to the publication reprint.)
Muturi, E.J., Dunlap, C., Caceres, C.E. 2020. Microbial communities of container aquatic habitats shift in response to Culex restuans larvae. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiaa112.
Juma, E.O., Allan, B.F., Kim, C.-H., Stone, C., Dunlap, C., Muturi, E.J. 2020. Effect of life stage and pesticide exposure on the gut microbiota of Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens L. Scientific Reports. 10:9489. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-66452-5.
Muturi, E.J., Hay, W.T., Doll, K.M., Ramirez, J.L., Selling, G. 2020. Insecticidal activity of Commiphora erythraea essential oil and its emulsions against larvae of three mosquito species. Journal of Medical Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjaa097.
Muturi, E.J., Selling, G.W., Doll, K.M., Hay, W.T., Ramirez, J.L. 2020. Leptospermum scoparium essential oil is a promising source of mosquito larvicide and its toxicity is enhanced by a biobased emulsifier. PLoS One. 15(2):e0229076. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0229076.
Ramirez, J.L., Muturi, E.J., Flor-Weiler, L.B., Vermillion, K., Rooney, A.P. 2020. Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) modulates mosquito resistance to fungal entomopathogens in a fungal-strain specific manner. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 9:465. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2019.00465.
Muturi, E.J., Hay, W.T., Behle, R.W., Selling, G.W. 2019. Amylose inclusion complexes as emulsifiers for garlic and asafoetida essential oils for mosquito control. Insects. 10(10):337. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10100337.
Tchouassi, D.P., Muturi, E.J., Arum, S.O., Kim, C., Fields, C., Torto, B. 2019. Host species and site of collection shape the microbiota of Rift Valley fever vectors in Kenya. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 13(6):e0007361. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0007361.
Dowd, P.F., Naumann, T.A., Johnson, E.T., Berhow, M.A., Zilkowski, B.W., Muturi, E.J. 2019. Validation of candidate maize insect and fungal resistance genes through functional analysis. Meeting Abstract.
Muturi, E.J., Ramirez, J.L., Kim, C. 2019. Green, yellow and red fluorescent proteins as markers for bacterial isolates from mosquito midguts. Insects. 10:49. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10020049.
Le, P.V., Kumar, P., Ruiz, M.O., Mbogo, C., Muturi, E.J. 2019. Predicting the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on malaria in coastal Kenya. PLOS One. 14:e0211258. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0211258.
Muturi, E.J., Doll, K.M., Berhow, M.A., Weiler, L., Rooney, A.P. 2019. Honeysuckle essential oil as a potential source of ecofriendly larvicides for mosquito control. Pest Management Science. 75(7):2043-2048. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.5327.
Ramirez, J.L., Muturi, E.J., Barletta-Ferreira, A.B., Rooney, A.P. 2018. The Aedes aegypti IMD pathway is a critical component of the mosquito antifungal immune response. Developmental and Comparative Immunology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2018.12.010.
Muturi, E.J., Doll, K.M., Ramirez, J.L., Rooney, A.P. 2018. Bioactivity of wild carrot (Daucus carota, Apiaceae) essential oil against mosquito larvae. Journal of Medical Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjy226.
Parker, A.T., Gardner, A.M., Perez, M., Allan, B.F., Muturi, E.J. 2018. Container size alters the outcome of interspecific competition between Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)and Aedes albopictus. Journal of Medical Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjy215.
Gardner, A.M., Muturi, E.J., Allan, B.F. 2018. Discovery and exploitation of a natural ecological trap for a mosquito disease vector. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2018.1962.
Muturi, E.J., Dunlap, C.A., Ramirez, J.L., Rooney, A.P., Kim, C. 2018. Host blood meal source has a strong impact on gut microbiota of Aedes aegypti. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. 95. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiy213.
Kim, C., Muturi, E.J., Lee, S. 2018. Copula modeling of differential effect of leaf species on Aedes albopictus development time. Environment and Natural Resources Research. 8(4). https://doi.org/10.5539/enrr.v8n4p1.
Muturi, E.J., Lagos-Kutz, D.M., Dunlap, C.A., Ramirez, J.L., Rooney, A.P., Hartman, G.L., Fields, C., Rendon, G., Kim, C. 2018. Mosquito microbiota cluster by host sampling location. Parasites & Vectors. 11:468. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-3036-9.
Ramirez, J.L., Muturi, E.J., Dunlap, C.A., Rooney, A.P. 2018. Strain-specific pathogenicity and subversion of phenoloxidase activity in the mosquito Aedes aegypti by members of the fungal entomopathogenic genus Isaria. Scientific Reports. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-28210-6.
Ramirez, J.L., Dunlap, C.A., Muturi, E.J., Barletta-Ferreira, A.B., Rooney, A.P. 2018. Entomopathogenic fungal infection leads to temporospatial modulation of the mosquito immune system. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 12:e0006433. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0006433.
Moise, I.K., Riegel, C., Muturi, E.J. 2018. Environmental and social-demographic predictors of the southern house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus in New Orleans, Louisiana. Parasites & Vectors. 11:249. doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-2833-5.
Muturi, E.J., Ramirez, J.L., Zilkowski, B.W., Weiler, L., Rooney, A.P. 2018. Ovicidal and larvicidal effects of garlic and asafoetida essential oils against West Nile virus vectors. Journal of Insect Science. 18(2):43. doi: 10.1093/jisesa/iey036.
Dowd, P.F., Zilkowski, B.W., Johnson, E.T., Berhow, M.A., Muturi, E.J. 2018. Transgenic expression of a maize geranyl geranyl transferase gene sequence in maize callus increases resistance to ear rot pathogens. AGRI GENE. 7:52-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aggene.2018.01.001.
Weiler, L., Rooney, A.P., Behle, R.W., Muturi, E.J. 2018. Impact of Tolypocladium cylindrosporum (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) on eggs of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus at low temperature. Meeting Abstract.
Muturi, E.J., Ramirez, J.L., Rooney, A.P., Kim, C. 2017. Comparative analysis of gut microbiota of Culex restuans (Diptera: Culicidae) females from different parents. Journal of Medical Entomology. 10:163-171. doi: 10.1093/jme/tjx199.
Muturi, E.J., Ramirez, J.L., Doll, K.M., Bowman, M.J. 2017. Combined toxicity of three essential oils against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae. Journal of Medical Entomology. 54:1684-1691. doi: 10.1093/jme/tjx168.
Gardner, A.M., Muturi, E.J., Overmier, L.D., Allan, B.F. 2017. Large-scale removal of invasive honeysuckle decreases mosquito and avian host abundance. EcoHealth. 14:750:761. doi: 10.1007/s10393-017-1265-6. -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Karki, S., Westcott, N.E., Muturi, E.J., Brown, W.M., Ruiz, M.O. 2017. Assessing human risk of illness with West Nile virus mosquito surveillance data to improve public health preparedness. Zoonoses and Public Health. 65:177-184. doi: 10.1111/zph.12386. -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Weiler, L., Rooney, A.P., Behle, R.W., Muturi, E.J. 2017. Characterization of Tolypocladium cylindrosporum (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitacea) and its impact against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus eggs at low temperature. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association. 33(3):184-192.
Muturi, E.J., Gadner, A., Allan, B.F. 2017. Plant-based strategies for mosquito control. Meeting Abstract.
Ramirez, J.L., Muturi, E.J., Dunlap, C.A., Rooney, A.P. 2017. The interplay between mosquitoes, entomopathogens and symbiotic microbes: A niche for the development of novel microbial-derived vector control strategies. Meeting Abstract. -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Muturi, E.J., Donthu, R.K., Fields, C.J., Moise, I.K., Kim, C. 2017. Effect of pesticides on microbial communities in container aquatic habitats. Scientific Reports. 7:44565. doi: 10.1038/srep44565.
Muturi, E.J., Ramirez, J.L., Rooney, A.P., Chang-Hyun, K. 2017. Comparative analysis of gut microbiota of mosquito communities in central Illinois. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005377. -(Peer Reviewed Journal)
Muturi, E.J., Ramirez, J.L., Rooney, A.P., Dunlap, C.A. 2016. Association between fertilizer-mediated changes in microbial communities and Aedes albopictus growth and survival. Acta Tropica. 164(2016):54-63.
