Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 19, 2026
Protocols for Testing the Toxicity of Novel Insecticidal Chemistries to Mosquitoes
Published on: February 13, 2019
Fungal infection counters insecticide resistance in African malaria mosquitoes
Marit Farenhorst1, Joel C Mouatcho, Christophe K Kikankie
1Laboratory of Entomology, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 8031, 6700 EH Wageningen, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
The evolution of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes is threatening the effectiveness and sustainability of malaria control programs in various parts of the world. Through their unique mode of action, entomopathogenic fungi provide promising alternatives to chemical control. However, potential interactions between fungal infection and insecticide resistance, such as cross-resistance, have not been investigated. We show that insecticide-resistant Anopheles mosquitoes remain susceptible to infection with the fungus Beauveria bassiana. Four different mosquito strains with high resistance levels against pyrethroids, organochlorines, or carbamates were equally susceptible to B. bassiana infection as their baseline counterparts, showing significantly reduced mosquito survival. Moreover, fungal infection reduced the expression of resistance to the key public health insecticides permethrin and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane. Mosquitoes preinfected with B. bassiana or Metarhizium anisopliae showed a significant increase in mortality after insecticide exposure compared with uninfected control mosquitoes. Our results show a high potential utility of fungal biopesticides for complementing existing vector control measures and provide products for use in resistance management strategies.
Insights
Entomopathogenic fungi effectively infect insecticide-resistant mosquitoes, reducing their survival and insecticide resistance. Fungal infections increase mosquito mortality when exposed to insecticides, offering new resistance management strategies.
Area of Science:
- Vector control
- Medical entomology
- Insecticide resistance
Background:
- Insecticide resistance in mosquitoes threatens malaria control.
- Entomopathogenic fungi offer novel control methods.
- Interactions between fungal infection and insecticide resistance are unknown.
Purpose of the Study:
- Investigate the susceptibility of insecticide-resistant mosquitoes to fungal infection.
- Determine if fungal infection affects insecticide resistance.
- Evaluate the potential of fungi in insecticide resistance management.
Main Methods:
- Tested four insecticide-resistant Anopheles mosquito strains against Beauveria bassiana.
- Assessed mosquito survival after fungal infection.
- Measured the expression of insecticide resistance genes.
- Examined the effect of pre-infection with B. bassiana and Metarhizium anisopliae on insecticide-induced mortality.
Main Results:
- Insecticide-resistant mosquitoes were equally susceptible to B. bassiana infection as susceptible mosquitoes.
- Fungal infection reduced the expression of resistance to permethrin and dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane.
- Pre-infection with fungi significantly increased mosquito mortality following insecticide exposure.
Conclusions:
- Entomopathogenic fungi are effective against insecticide-resistant mosquitoes.
- Fungal infections can overcome or reduce insecticide resistance.
- Fungal biopesticides can complement existing control methods and aid resistance management strategies.
Related Concept Videos
01:29Malaria
01:15Anthelminthic Agents