Abstract

ERADICATION OF MOSQUITO BORNE DISEASES BY ENTOMOPATHOGENIC FUNGI

Sana Sharif, Zeba Shaikh and D. R. Majumder*

Abstract

Entomopathogenic fungi are those fungi that specifically target insects and act as a parasite thus exterminating or incapacitating them. The pathogenicity of the fungal isolates, lower fungi-Fusarium spp, Aspergillus spp, Penicillium spp &Trichoderma spp, higher fungi- Agaricus spp & Leucoagaricus spp were effectively tested against the 3rd and 4th instar larvae of mosquito Culex spp. The concentration of fungi used was 108 spores / ml. Larval mortalities were evaluated on daily basis to check the effect of the respective fungi, they showed mortality within 24 to 72 hours of spore inoculation. The cause of the larval mortality was then ascertained by histopathological evaluation of the digestive system of the dead larvae as well as the microscopic evaluation of their body. The histopathology results showed disintegration of the epithelial cells and gut lining and microscopic evaluation revealed blockage of the siphon tube with fungal spores. The results connote that the Fusarium spp, Aspergillus spp, Penicillium spp, Trichoderma spp, Agaricus spp & Leucoagaricus spp are potent Culex spp larvicide and can prove to be a robust biocontrol agent.

Keywords: Entomopathogenic fungi, Culex, Histopathology, Biocontrol agent.