Journal of Mosquito Research 2024, Vol.14, No.1, 49-60 http://emtoscipublisher.com/index.php/jmr 54 3.3 Ecological impact of Rhodococcus erythropolis on non-target Insects As a biological control tool, Rhodococcus erythropolis may impact non-target insects in several ways: Competitive Effects: Rhodococcus erythropolis and non-target insects may compete for resources. By occupying nutrients and space in the environment, Rhodococcus erythropolis could reduce the survival and reproductive success rates of non-target insects (Zhou et al., 2023). Antibiotic Impact: Antibiotics secreted by Rhodococcus erythropolis may affect the survival of non-target insects. The antibiotics could inhibit the immune systems of non-target insects, increasing their vulnerability to other threats. Reproductive Control: Certain strains of Rhodococcus erythropolis might affect the reproductive capabilities of non-target insects. This impact could manifest as reduced reproductive success rates or altered reproduction patterns, thereby affecting the population numbers of non-target insects. Ecosystem Impact: The potential impact of Rhodococcus erythropolis might not be limited to a single population but could also affect the structure and function of entire ecosystems. This requires ecological research to assess the impact of Rhodococcus erythropolis on ecosystems. In summary, while Rhodococcus erythropolis has potential advantages as a mosquito control method, its potential impact on other non-target insects requires thorough research and assessment. By reasonably selecting non-target insects for experiments, employing strict data collection and analysis methods, and focusing on experimental reproducibility, a more comprehensive understanding of Rhodococcus erythropolis's role and impact in ecosystems can be achieved. This will help develop effective biological control strategies while ensuring ecosystem stability and sustainability. 4 Case Studies 4.1 Successful case: application of Rhodococcus erythropolis in mosquito control while protecting beneficial insects A notable success story explores the application of Rhodococcus erythropolis in mosquito control, which also safeguarded beneficial insects (Vázquez-Boland and Meijer, 2019). This case highlights the potential of Rhodococcus erythropolis as a biological control method to effectively reduce pest populations while minimizing negative impacts on other insects. In the autumn, with abundant rainfall and suitable temperatures in Guangdong, mosquito-borne diseases posed a serious threat to human health. Traditional chemical insecticides might harm the environment and beneficial insects, making the search for alternative methods crucial. Rhodococcus erythropolis was introduced as a biological control tool to manage mosquito populations. In this case, researchers initially conducted rigorous laboratory and field studies to determine the efficacy and safety of Rhodococcus erythropolis, selecting a strain highly toxic to mosquitoes but relatively safe for other beneficial insects. Rhodococcus erythropolis was mass-produced and released near mosquito breeding sites. Results showed that Rhodococcus erythropolis successfully reduced mosquito populations, thereby decreasing the risk of mosquito-borne diseases. Meanwhile, the impact on other beneficial insects was minimal, due to the selectivity of Rhodococcus erythropolis, which did not significantly harm beneficial insects. This case demonstrates the potential of Rhodococcus erythropolis in mosquito control and emphasizes the sustainability and eco-friendliness of biological control methods. 4.2 Challenge case: Rhodococcus erythropolis causing imbalance in non-target insect populations In some instances, the application of Rhodococcus erythropolis may lead to challenges such as imbalance in non-target insect populations. Although Rhodococcus erythropolis is selective, its impact on non-target insects under specific environmental conditions can become significant (Kuyukina et al., 2019).
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