Does cattle milieu provide a potential point to target wild exophilic anopheles arabiensis (Diptera: Culicidae) with entomopathogenic fungus? a bioinsecticide zooprophylaxis strategy for vector control.
Loading...
Date
2012
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Hindawi Publishing Corporation
Abstract
Background.Anophelesarabiensis isincreasinglydominatingmalariatransmissioninAfrica.Theexophagyinmosquitoesthreatens the effectiveness of indoor vector control strategies. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of fungus against An. arabiensis when applied on cattle and their environments. Methods. Experiments were conducted under semi-field and small-scale field conditions within Kilombero valley. The semi-field reared females of 5–7 days old An. arabiensis were exposed to fungus-treated and untreated calf. Further, wild An. arabiensis were exposed to fungus-treated calves, mud-huts, and their controls. Mosquitoes were recaptured the next morning and proportion fed, infected, and survived were evaluated. Experiments were replicated three times using different individuals of calves. Results. A high proportion of An. arabiensis was fed on calves (>0.90) and become infected (0.94) while resting on fungus-treated mud walls than on other surfaces. However, fungus treatments reduced fecundity and survival of mosquitoes. Conclusion. This study demonstrates for the first time the potential of cattle and their milieu for controlling An. arabiensis. Most ofAn. arabiensis were fed and infected while resting on fungus-treated mud walls than on other surfaces. Fungus treatments reduced fecundity and survival of mosquitoes. These results suggest deployment of bioinsecticide zooprophylaxis against exophilic An. arabiensis.
Description
Hindawi Publishing Corporation Journal of Parasitology Research
Keywords
Anopheles arabiensis, Malaria transmission, Wild Exophilic, Entomopathogenic Fungus, Bioinsecticide Zooprophylaxis Strategy, Vector Control, Mosquitoes, Africa