This is a database of peer-reviewed literature that focuses on Genetic Biocontrol research. The latest are shown here.
Distribution of infectious and parasitic agents among three sentinel bee species across European agricultural landscapes
Infectious and parasitic agents (IPAs) and their associated diseases are major environmental stressors that jeopardize bee health, both alone and in interaction with other stressors. Their impact on pollinator communities can be assessed by studying multiple sentinel bee species. Our results suggest that the most frequent IPAs in adult bees are more appropriate for assessing the bees’ IPA exposure risk. We also report positive correlations of IPA loads supporting the potential IPA transmission among sentinels, suggesting careful consideration should be taken when introducing managed pollinators in ecologically sensitive environments.
Babin, A., Schurr, F., Delannoy, S. et al. Distribution of infectious and parasitic agents among three sentinel bee species across European agricultural landscapes. Sci Rep 14, 3524 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-53357-w
Advanced methods for insect nets: red-colored nets contribute to sustainable agriculture
Development of advanced pest control methods that do not rely on insecticides is an important issue for sustainable agriculture. Particularly with regards to micro pests that are not only highly resistant to various insecticides but also because we are running out of options for which insecticide to use against them, resulting in enormous economic damage worldwide. Here we report that the effectiveness of the conventional insect net can be greatly advanced by changing their color to red that helps significantly reduce pesticide use. New red nets succeeded in suppressing the invasion rates and damages (white spots on the leaves) in a Welsh onion greenhouse with minimum use of pesticides.
Tokumaru, S., Tokushima, Y., Ito, S. et al. Advanced methods for insect nets: red-colored nets contribute to sustainable agriculture. Sci Rep 14, 2255 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52108-1
Evaluating vector competence for Yellow fever in the Caribbean
The mosquito-borne disease, Yellow fever (YF), has been largely controlled via mass delivery of an effective vaccine and mosquito control interventions. However, there are warning signs that YF is re-emerging in both Sub-Saharan Africa and South America. Imported from Africa in slave ships, YF was responsible for devastating outbreaks in the Caribbean. In Martinique, the last YF outbreak was reported in 1908 and the mosquito Aedes aegypti was incriminated as the main vector. Our vector competence data suggest that the threat of re-emergence of YF in Martinique and the subsequent spread to Caribbean nations and beyond is plausible.
Gabiane, G., Bohers, C., Mousson, L. et al. Evaluating vector competence for Yellow fever in the Caribbean. Nat Commun 15, 1236 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-45116-2
A convolutional neural network to identify mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) of the genus Aedes by wing images
Accurate species identification is crucial to assess the medical relevance of a mosquito specimen, but requires intensive experience of the observers and well-equipped laboratories. In this proof-of-concept study, we developed a convolutional neural network (CNN) to identify seven Aedes species by wing images, only. While previous studies used images of the whole mosquito body, the nearly two-dimensional wings may facilitate standardized image capture and reduce the complexity of the CNN implementation. The mean macro F1 score to predict the Aedes species was 90% for grayscale images and 91% for RGB images. In conclusion, wing images are sufficient to identify mosquito species by CNNs.
Sauer, F.G., Werny, M., Nolte, K. et al. A convolutional neural network to identify mosquito species (Diptera: Culicidae) of the genus Aedes by wing images. Sci Rep 14, 3094 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-53631-x
Population genetic structure of Aedes aegypti subspecies in selected geographical locations in Sudan
Although knowledge of the composition and genetic diversity of disease vectors is important for their management, this is limiting in many instances. The genetic structure of the Ae. aegypti subspecies population and the gene flow among them, which may be interpreted as the mosquito vector’s capacity for dispersal, were revealed in this study. These findings will help in the improvement of dengue epidemiology research including information on the identity of the target vector/subspecies and the arboviruses vector surveillance program.
Abuelmaali, S.A., Mashlawi, A.M., Ishak, I.H. et al. Population genetic structure of Aedes aegypti subspecies in selected geographical locations in Sudan. Sci Rep 14, 2978 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52591-6
The effect of intentional summer flooding for mosquito control on the nitrogen dynamics of impounded Avicennia germinans mangrove forests
Coastal wetlands such as mangrove forests are breeding grounds for nuisance-causing insects. Rotational Impoundment Management (RIM) for mosquito control involves annual summer inundation of impounded mangrove forests with estuarine water during the summer half year. However, in addition to controlling mosquitos, RIM may change biogeochemical pathways. Changes in the non-managed impoundment adjacent to the RIM impoundment demonstrate the importance of groundwater exchange in linked ecosystems. The consequences of interventions in the management of mangrove impoundments and adjacent forests for the nitrogen budget are discussed.
Laanbroek, H.J., Rains, M.C., Verhoeven, J.T.A. et al. The effect of intentional summer flooding for mosquito control on the nitrogen dynamics of impounded Avicennia germinans mangrove forests. Sci Rep 14, 2165 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-52248-4
Knowledge, compliance, and challenges in anti-malarial products usage: a systematic review of at-risk communities for zoonotic malaria
Zoonotic malaria is a growing public health threat in the WHO Southeast Asia (SEA) and Western Pacific (WP) regions. Despite vector-control measures, the distribution of Macaque fascicularis and M. nemestrina, and Anopheles mosquitoes carrying non-human simian malaria parasites poses challenges to malaria elimination. The systematic review assesses the literature on knowledge and malaria-preventive practices in zoonotic malaria-affected areas across the WHO SEA and WP, aiming to identify challenges for malaria control. New strategies must be developed for zoonotic malaria programs tailored to local contexts, emphasizing the significance of community participation, health education, and socio-behavioural change initiatives. It is important to consider the interconnectedness of human health, environmental and non-human primates conservation. Socio-cultural nuances should also be carefully considered in the design and implementation of these programs to ensure their effect tailored to local contexts.
Naserrudin, N.A., Adhikari, B., Culleton, R. et al. Knowledge, compliance, and challenges in anti-malarial products usage: a systematic review of at-risk communities for zoonotic malaria. BMC Public Health 24, 317 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-024-17792-8
Despite structural identity, ace-1 heterogenous duplication resistance alleles are quite diverse in Anopheles mosquitoes
Anopheles gambiae s.l. has been the target of intense insecticide treatment since the mid-20th century to try and control malaria. A substitution in the ace-1 locus has been rapidly selected for, allowing resistance to organophosphate and carbamate insecticides. Since then, two types of duplication of the ace-1 locus have been found in An. gambiae s.l. populations: homogeneous duplications that are composed of several resistance copies, or heterogeneous duplications that contain both resistance and susceptible copies. The substitution induces a trade-off between resistance in the presence of insecticides and disadvantages in their absence: the heterogeneous duplications allow the fixation of the intermediate heterozygote phenotype.
Claret, JL., Di-Liegro, M., Namias, A. et al. Despite structural identity, ace-1 heterogenous duplication resistance alleles are quite diverse in Anopheles mosquitoes. Heredity (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41437-024-00670-9
A multiplexed, confinable CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive can propagate in caged Aedes aegypti populations
Aedes aegypti is the main vector of several major pathogens including dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses. Classical mosquito control strategies utilizing insecticides are threatened by rising resistance. This has stimulated interest in new genetic systems such as gene drivesHere, we test the regulatory sequences from the Ae. aegypti benign gonial cell neoplasm (bgcn) homolog to express Cas9 and a separate multiplexing sgRNA-expressing cassette inserted into the Ae. aegypti kynurenine 3-monooxygenase (kmo) gene.
Anderson, M.A.E., Gonzalez, E., Edgington, M.P. et al. A multiplexed, confinable CRISPR/Cas9 gene drive can propagate in caged Aedes aegypti populations. Nat Commun 15, 729 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-44956-2
Larvicidal potential, antimicrobial properties and molecular docking analysis of Egyptian Mint (Mentha rotundifolia) against Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae) and Midgut-borne Staphylococcus aureus
Mosquitoes prefer stagnant areas near hospitals to live and easily spread pathogenic bacteria. Our current study aims to isolate multidrug-resistant (MDR) Staphylococcus aureus isolates from midguts of Mosquito Culex pipiens and study the potential of mint as a biocontrol strategy against C. pipiens larvae and their midgut-borne S. aureus. Docking analysis confirmed that alpha guanine and cadinol had the highest binding affinity to both predicted active sites of Culex pipiens acetylcholinesterase. As a result, alpha-guanine and cadinol might have a role as acetylcholinesterase inhibitors.
Abu-Hussien, S.H., Hemdan, B., Abd-Elhalim, B.T. et al. Larvicidal potential, antimicrobial properties and molecular docking analysis of Egyptian Mint (Mentha rotundifolia) against Culex pipiens L. (Diptera: Culicidae) and Midgut-borne Staphylococcus aureus. Sci Rep 14, 1697 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-024-51634-2