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ARS Home » Southeast Area » Gainesville, Florida » Center for Medical, Agricultural and Veterinary Entomology » Mosquito and Fly Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #293908

Title: Challenges in microbial control of invasive mosquitoes and lessons learned

Author
item Becnel, James

Submitted to: Meeting Abstract
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 8/11/2013
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Public health agencies are concerned with the establishment and spread of invasive mosquitoes in the U.S. and their involvement in the transmission of pathogens to man and animals. Some established species include but are not limited to Aedes aegypti, A. albopictus, A. japonicus, and Culex bahamensis. Some of the pathogens of concern are those responsible for dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis and rift valley fever that have/could be introduced with the invasive mosquitoes. Integrated mosquito management programs include combining methods such as source reduction, pesticide applications and biological control to prevent transmission of vector borne pathogens. While Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis and B. sphaericus have been extremely successful in mosquito larval control they are not suitable for all species and habitats. Other possible agents include mermithid nematodes and microbes such as fungi, microsporidia and viruses. Examples from each of these groups will include Romanomermis culicivorax (mermithid), Lagenidium gigantiem (fungi), Edhazardia aedis (microsporidia) and CuniNPV (baculovirus). The mosquito species and habitats suited to control by each species will be discussed as well as issues and challenges relative to production, deployment, efficacy and safety.