L.L. Mnyone: Development of effective formulation and delivery methods of entomopathogenic fungi (fungi with ability to infect/kill insects) for use in controlling mosquitoes that transmit malaria


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15 Dec 2010 11:00

Unit: Laboratory of Entomology

Location: Aula, building 362, Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen

Organisation: Wageningen University

Promotor: prof. dr.ir. W. Takken , prof. dr. M. Dicke

Fungi that can infect/kill insects “entomopathogenic fungi” have demonstrated potential to complement existing vector control methods. Here we aimed at developing fungal (Metarhizium anisopliae ICIPE-30, M. anisopliae IP 46, Beauveria bassiana I93-825) formulations and delivery techniques, which can be used to effectively infect and kill malaria mosquitoes in village settings. Laboratory followed by small scale field trials were conducted at Ifakara, Tanzania. Fungi were effective at concentration as low as 2×10¹⁰ conidia m-2 and exposure time as short as 15 min. Conidia on papers remained infective up to 28 d post application. Mosquitoes aged between 2-12 d equally succumbed to fungus infection, with them being more susceptible when non-blood fed. Fungi exhibited no repellency to mosquitoes. Fungi were more effective when applied on mud and cotton cloth than polyester netting. In small scale field trial, up to 75% of house-entering mosquitoes became infected with fungus by means of either cotton cloth eave baffles or strips hung next to bed net; and model estimates indicated that fungus alone can reduce malaria transmission risk by >75%. These findings provide baseline information highly relevant for designing and conducting large-scale field trials.

Title thesis: Optimization of formulation and delivery technology of entomopathogenic fungi for malaria vector control

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