Fungal entomopathogens for larval and adult mosquito control

Mosquitoes and mosquito-borne disease pathogens are on the rise in the US as well as globally. Malaria, Dengue, West Nile fever, Zika, and several viral encephalitides are just some of the mosquito-borne diseases that affect humans. Mosquito-borne viral encephalitides cause severe life stock losses in horses, cattle and sheep and heartworm affects our companion animals. Vector control remains the most cost-effective tool to disease prevention. Increasing resistance to preventative chemotherapies (malaria, heartworm) or their absence (all viruses listed above), further increases the need for vector control. However, increased insecticide resistance or concerns with regards to the general use of insecticides require the development of alternatives. Biologicals, including fungi that kill mosquitoes, provide a potential safe, and cost-effective alternative to traditional chemical insecticides. Indeed, such fungal entomopathogens are used in agriculture, and are being implemented against mosquitoes in the U.S. and globally. However, little is known about the ecological or molecular interactions of mosquitoes and fungi. The efficacy of fungal entomopathogens relies on the pathogen overcoming the mosquito’s immune system. Past interactions with fungi may shape the mosquito’s ability to tolerate or resist fungal entomopathogens, and thus could alter control outcomes. In addition, molecular studies of the underlying mechanisms of anti-fungal immunity in mosquitoes are sparse, and require the establishment of infection models as well as delivery and evaluation tools. This project will focus our efforts on the following two mosquito species: Anopheles gambiae is the major vector of malaria in sub-Saharan Africa, and is one of the species currently targeted by fungal biocontrol programs. Aedes albopictus is a major vector of many mosquito-borne viral diseases as well as heartworm. It is a highly invasive urban mosquito species that is rapidly expanding in Europe and the USA, and thus has the potential to become a major threat to human and animal health. The basic methods and approaches will be used to collect and produce data/results. For the first goal, state-of-the-art microbiome methodology will be used. Importantly, in contrast to currently available data sets, field-collected mosquito larvae will be used to assess the true biodiversity of mosquito-fungal interactions. In addition, this will allow us to isolate any potential new fungal entomopathogens, which could be locally used for mosquito control. To reach the second goal, the project will rely on laboratory methodologies that are well-established in the Michel lab. These include omics approaches, as well as reverse genetics tools, which we are extending to mosquito larval stages. Statistical methods to evaluate collected data are stream-lined in existing work flows, and will ensure reproducibility of the data. Finally, while data presentation relies on peer-reviewed publications for proper vetting of the methodologies and data, gained knowledge will disseminated to the wider public through open public presentations and responsible use of social media outlets.

Project details

Vector Control

Nov 2019 — Sep 2024

United States