research: mosquito-killing fungi

13 June 2005

Mosquitocidal fungi are being tested as a possible new way to tackle the spread of malaria.

Insect-killing fungi are already licensed for use in the West to curb aphids and other pests. Researchers from Imperial College and the University of Edinburgh examined one such fungus, Beauveria bassiana.

Mosquitoes picked up fungal spores as they rested on treated surfaces after feeding on blood. Just six hours' exposure was sufficient to cause most mosquitoes to die within 14 days (the time it takes for the malaria parasite to develop following a blood feed and get from the mosquito's gut to its salivary glands). Infected mosquitoes flew poorly and fed less, and even those that survived appeared to carry fewer malaria parasites.

The research is preliminary, so the fungi are not yet a practical control option. Nevertheless, the approach has at least two major advantages: the fungi are generally safe to people and no insects have been shown to develop fungal resistance.

Blanford S et al. Fungal pathogen reduces potential for malaria transmission. Science 2005;308(5728):1638–41.