Publication date: Oct 09, 2024

Aedes aegypti transmits the arboviruses that cause dengue, zika, and chikungunya. Entomopathogenic fungi are beneficial microorganisms that can be incorporated into current strategies against mosquitoes of public health concern. This study molecularly identified the Metarhizium anisopliae CG 153 isolate and evaluated its virulence against larvae, pupae, and adults (both males and females) of Ae. aegypti. Different concentrations of conidia were used (1 cD7 10 conidia mL). Larval and pupal survival was monitored daily for seven and three days, respectively, while adults were monitored for 15 days. The efficacy of M. anisopliae sensu stricto was concentration-dependent, with higher concentrations achieving better results, demonstrating greater virulence against larval and adult stages of Ae. aegypti. The fungus reduced the larval survival by 95,5% (1 cD7 10 con. mL), 94,4% (1 cD7 10 con. mL), 78,9% (1 cD7 10 con. mL), 62,2% (1 cD7 10 con. mL), and 41,1% (1 cD7 10 con. mL) after seven days. Adults also showed susceptibility to the fungus, with no observed difference in susceptibility between males and females. Over 15 days of monitoring, adult survival rates ranged from approximately 6. 7% to 72%. Pupae exhibited lower susceptibility to the fungus across different concentrations, with survival rates ranging from approximately 87. 8% to 100%. This study highlights the high effectiveness of M. anisopliae CG 153 against both Ae. aegypti larvae and adults (male and female) under controlled conditions, suggesting its promising potential for further evaluation and application in field conditions.

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