Transmission of Beauveria bassiana from male to female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes
2011

Transmission of Beauveria bassiana in Aedes aegypti Mosquitoes

Sample size: 40 publication Evidence: high

Author Information

Author(s): García-Munguía Alberto M, Garza-Hernández Javier A, Rebollar-Tellez Eduardo A, Rodríguez-Pérez Mario A, Reyes-Villanueva Filiberto

Primary Institution: Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León; Instituto Politécnico Nacional

Hypothesis

Can Beauveria bassiana be transmitted from male to female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes through mating behavior?

Conclusion

The study found that Beauveria bassiana can be transmitted by mating behavior, resulting in high mortality rates in female Aedes aegypti mosquitoes.

Supporting Evidence

  • All strains of Beauveria bassiana tested were highly virulent.
  • The most virulent strain caused 90% mortality in females after mating.
  • Fecundity decreased by 95% for the most virulent strain compared to controls.
  • Transmission of the fungus occurred through both successful and failed mating attempts.

Takeaway

This study shows that male mosquitoes can pass a fungus to female mosquitoes when they mate, which can make the females very sick and die.

Methodology

Mosquitoes were exposed to conidia of Beauveria bassiana and then mated to assess transmission and effects on mortality and fecundity.

Limitations

Further investigations are needed before practical applications of this method for biocontrol.

Participant Demographics

Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, specifically 6-8 day old males and females.

Statistical Information

P-Value

p<0.0001

Statistical Significance

p<0.0001

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1756-3305-4-24

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