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Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg., 80(6), 2009, pp. 992-997
Copyright © 2009 by The American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene

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Spore Persistence and Likelihood of Aeroallergenicity of Entomopathogenic Fungi Used for Mosquito Control

Jonathan M. Darbro* AND Matthew B. Thomas
Entomology Division, Australian Commonwealth Science and Industry Research Organization, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory, Australia; Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics and Department of Entomology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania

Entomopathogenic fungi, such as Metarhizium anisopliae and Beauveria bassiana, are being researched as alternatives to chemical adulticides to control mosquito vectors of malaria and dengue. Two cited concerns of fungal control include conidial viability and risks fungal entomopathogens pose to human health. We measured spore viability of 10 fungal isolates over 26 weeks and found a range of persistence. Three B. bassiana isolates maintained ≥ 50% viability 14 weeks after application. No M. anisopliae isolate persisted longer than 1 week. To help assess risk of conidia as potential human allergens, we measured airborne conidia in enclosed environments after simulated biopesticide treatment of M. anisopliae. Conidia were detectable immediately after treatment, with concentrations of ~7000/m3, decreasing over 48 hours to 500 conidia/m3. At most, Metarhizium conidia comprised 2% of total visible particulate matter, falling to 0.1% by 2 days. The implications for viability of biological control of adult mosquitoes are discussed.

Received November 11, 2008. Accepted for publication February 12, 2009.

Acknowledgments: We are indebted to E. Hines, J. Darby, and T. Willis for technical advice.

Financial support: Funding for this study was provided by the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) of Australia (Grant ID#424600) and the Hussman Investment Trust.

* Address correspondence to Jonathan M. Darbro, Mosquito Control Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, PO Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia. E-mail: Jonathan.Darbro{at}qimr.edu.au

Authors’ addresses: Jonathan M. Darbro, Mosquito Control Laboratory, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, PO Royal Brisbane Hospital, Brisbane, QLD 4029, Australia, Tel: +61-07-3362-0348, Fax: +61-07-3362-0106, E-mail: Jonathan.Darbro{at}qimr.edu.au. Matthew B. Thomas, Center for Infectious Disease Dynamics and Department of Entomology, 1 Chemical Ecology Lab, Penn State, University Park, PA 16802, Tel: 814-865-2480, Fax: 814-463-4439, E-mail: mbt13{at}psu.edu.






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Copyright © 2009 by the American Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene.