Journal of Mosquito Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 237-246 http://emtoscipublisher.com/index.php/jmr 237 Research Insight Open Access Evaluating the Effectiveness of Biological Control Agents against Mosquitoes YanZhou School of Marine Sciences and Biotechnology, Guangxi Minzu University, Nanning, 530006, Guangxi, China Corresponding email: yanzhou@gxun.edu.cn Journal of Mosquito Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.5 doi: 10.5376/jmr.2024.14.0022 Received: 05 Sep., 2024 Accepted: 06 Oct., 2024 Published: 18 Oct., 2024 Copyright © 2024 Zhou, This is an open access article published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited. Preferred citation for this article: Zhou Y., 2024, Evaluating the effectiveness of biological control agents against mosquitoes, Journal of Mosquito Research, 14(5): 237-246 (doi: 10.5376/jmr.2024.14.0022) Abstract The resurgence of mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria, dengue, and chikungunya has necessitated the exploration of alternative control strategies due to the limitations and resistance associated with chemical insecticides. This study evaluates the effectiveness of various biological control agents against mosquitoes, focusing on eco-friendly and sustainable methods. Biological control agents, including bacteria, fungi, larvivorous fish, and predatory insects like dragonflies and damselflies, have shown promising results in reducing mosquito populations. Additionally, innovative approaches such as the use of Wolbachia bacteria and bio-nanoparticles are being investigated for their potential to disrupt mosquito life cycles and reduce disease transmission. This study highlights the need for further research to optimize these biological methods and integrate them into comprehensive vector control programs. By leveraging natural predators and microbial agents, biological control offers a viable and environmentally friendly alternative to chemical insecticides, potentially mitigating the public health threat posed by mosquitoes. Keywords Biological control; Mosquito vectors; Eco-friendly; Wolbachia; Larvivorous fish 1 Introduction Mosquito-borne diseases represent a significant global health challenge, affecting millions of people annually. Diseases such as malaria, dengue, Zika, chikungunya, yellow fever, and West Nile virus are transmitted by mosquitoes and have severe health and economic impacts, particularly in tropical and subtropical regions (Guarner and Hale, 2019; Côrtes et al., 2023; Onen et al., 2023). The prevalence of these diseases is exacerbated by factors such as climate change, urbanization, and the global movement of people, which facilitate the spread of both the mosquitoes and the pathogens they carry (Brugueras et al., 2020). The resurgence of these diseases in new regions and populations underscores the urgent need for effective control strategies (Achee et al., 2019). Traditional mosquito control methods include chemical insecticides, biological control, mechanical barriers, and environmental management. Chemical insecticides, while effective, pose significant drawbacks such as high production costs, environmental toxicity, and the development of resistance in mosquito populations (Jones et al., 2020; Onen et al., 2023). Biological control methods, such as the use of natural predators, pathogens, and symbionts like Wolbachia, offer a more sustainable and environmentally friendly alternative (Anders et al., 2018; Salazar et al., 2019; Minwuyelet et al., 2023). Mechanical barriers and environmental management, including the elimination of breeding sites, are also crucial components of integrated vector management strategies (Dahmana and Mediannikov, 2020; Côrtes et al., 2023). The increasing resistance to chemical insecticides and the negative environmental impacts associated with their use have driven the search for alternative mosquito control methods. Biological control agents, including bacteria like Wolbachia, fungi, and genetically modified mosquitoes, have shown promise in reducing mosquito populations and interrupting disease transmission (Anders et al., 2018; Achee et al., 2019; Minwuyelet et al., 2023). These methods are often more specific to target species and pose fewer risks to non-target organisms and the environment. Additionally, biological control agents can be integrated into existing vector management programs to enhance their effectiveness and sustainability (Salazar et al., 2019; Dahmana and Mediannikov, 2020).
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