ABSTRACT
Classical biological control has been used extensively for the management of exotic weeds and agricultural pests, but never for alien insect vectors of medical importance. This simple but elegant control strategy involves the introduction of coevolved natural enemies from the centre of origin of the target alien species. Aedes aegypti - the primary vector of the dengue, yellow fever and Zika flaviviruses - is just such an invasive alien in the Americas where it arrived accidentally from its West African home during the slave trade. Here, we introduce the concept of exploiting entomopathogenic fungi from Africa for the classical biological control of Ae. aegypti in the Americas. Fungal pathogens attacking arthropods are ubiquitous in tropical forests and are important components in the natural balance of arthropod populations. They can produce a range of specialised spore forms, as well as inducing a variety of bizarre behaviours in their hosts, in order to maximise infection. The fungal groups recorded as specialised pathogens of mosquito hosts worldwide are described and discussed. We opine that similar fungal pathogens will be found attacking and manipulating Ae. aegypti in African forests and that these could be employed for an economic, environmentally-safe and long-term solution to the flavivirus pandemics in the Americas.
Subject(s)
Humans , Aedes/microbiology , Biological Control Agents , Insect Vectors/microbiology , Americas , FungiABSTRACT
The use of the parasitoid Neodusmetia sangwani to control the Rhodes grass mealybug Antonina graminis is one of the best examples of classical biological control in the world. The situation could not be different in Brazil, where the pest has also been introduced, and kept under control after the release of its natural enemy. In this review, it is united information with respect to the successful use of a natural enemy in this country. Notes about the description and biology of the insects involved and rearing and release procedures of the parasitoid for the Rhodes grass mealybug control in Brazil will also be presented.(AU)
O uso do parasitoide Neodusmetia sangwani para controlar a cochonilha-das-pastagens Antonina graminis é um dos melhores exemplos de controle biológico clássico no mundo. A situação não poderia ser diferente no Brasil, onde a praga foi introduzida e mantida sob controle após a liberação de seu inimigo natural. Nessa revisão são reunidas informações sobre o bem-sucedido uso de um inimigo natural nesse país. Serão apresentadas também notas sobre a descrição e biologia dos insetos envolvidos e procedimentos de multiplicação e liberação do parasitoide para o controle dessa cochonilha no Brasil.(AU)