Natural Mosquito Research Articles

Serai Wangi Sebagai Alternatif Obat Nyamuk Alami : Potensi dan Penerapan dalam Kewirausahaan

Dengue fever, malaria, and other mosquito-borne diseases remain significant health problems and challenges in various regions, especially in rural areas. Dengue fever (DBD) is caused by the dengue virus types 1-4, which are transmitted through the bites of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. The majority of the residents of Karya Mukti Village work as rubber tappers. They usually start their activities early in the morning or even before dawn. However, mosquitoes are most active in the morning and late afternoon, making the local community highly vulnerable to mosquito bites. To address this issue, the people of Karya Mukti Village still widely use mosquito repellents available on the market, which contain harmful chemicals that pose risks to both health and the environment if used over the long term. Therefore, this community service initiative aims to conduct outreach and hands-on training on the use of citronella (Cymbopogon nardus) as a natural mosquito repellent alternative. This program is carried out using a socialization and product-making approach through participatory engagement, where Dasawisma (women's community groups) are encouraged to identify their needs and challenges, as well as appropriate solutions to address them. By involving Dasawisma members in the learning and production process of natural mosquito repellents, it is hoped that they will gain better knowledge and skills in making natural mosquito repellents.

Exploring the efficacy of Citrus medica leaf extracts as a natural mosquito repellent: Implications for sustainable mosquito-borne disease control

Exploring the efficacy of Citrus medica leaf extracts as a natural mosquito repellent: Implications for sustainable mosquito-borne disease control

Effectiveness of Lime Leaves (Citrus aurantifolia) as a Natural Mosquito Repellent

The tropical climate gives rise to various kinds of tropical diseases, one of which can be caused by mosquitoes. The aim of this research was to determine the effectiveness concentration of lime leaf extract (Citrus aurantifolia) in repelling the Aedes aegypti mosquito. The research method used was an experiment by observing the effect of lime leaf extract as a natural mosquito repellent. Data processing used the one way anova statistical test, namely by using treatment plus 1 control in each treatment with 3 repetitions of the experiment. The results of this research were that there were differences in the treatment of orange leaf extract with a p-value (0.0005). The conclusion of the research is that the significant extract group is the 60 mg - 40 mg, 60 mg - 50 mg treatment, meaning that 60 mg of orange leaf extract treatment is the most effective as a natural insecticide.

Assessing agricultural practices and insecticides resistance for effective malaria vector control in northwestern Iran

BackgroundAfter three years with no local transmission of malaria, an outbreak occurred in Iran in 2022. Key malaria control methods in Iran are including indoor residual spraying (IRS), long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs), and prompt diagnosis and treatment of malaria cases. Anopheles sacharovi is one of the main malaria vectors in Iran. This study aimed to determine the insecticides resistance status of An. sacharovi in northwestern Iran, to inform effective vector control programs in this region.MethodsLarval stages of An. sacharovi were collected from various larval habitats located in the villages along the Aras River. Adult susceptibility tests were performed on An. sacharovi using diagnostic doses of insecticides accordance to World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The study also evaluated agricultural insecticide and fertilizer usage alongside the presence of natural mosquito predators in breeding sites in the study area.ResultsAlongside various chemicals such as silica, humic acid, superphosphate, sulfur, urea, and solupotasse at different dose levels, organophosphorus and pyrethroid insecticides are commonly used in rice fields and orchards. Anopheles sacharovi displayed diverse reactions to insecticides, demonstrating resistance to DDT but sensitivity to malathion, and showing similar reactions to carbamate and pyrethroid insecticides.ConclusionsThese results provide significant insights into agricultural practices and the presence of mosquito larvae in the study area. The extensive use of a specific herbicide illustrates its popularity among farmers for weed control, while other agricultural products focus on enhancing soil fertility and productivity. The absence of mosquito larvae in habitats with predators indicates the usefulness of these predators in controlling the population of mosquitoes. The resistance of mosquitoes to certain insecticides highlights the need for careful selection and intermittent use of insecticides in vector control programs. These findings can inform the development of targeted strategies to reduce malaria transmission risks. Further research is essential for assessing the effectiveness of these interventions.

Invasive and native mosquitoes in Europe, including Poland, as vectors transmitting pathogens – implications for wellbeing of Armed Forces

Invasive and native mosquitoes in Europe, including Poland, as vectors transmitting pathogens – implications for wellbeing of Armed Forces

Imported arboviral disease cases and entomological surveillance of Aedes albopictus in Valencian Autonomous Region (Spain) along 2022

Abstract The Laboratory of Entomology and Pest Control (LEPC) of the University of Valencia, hired by the regional government of the Generalitat Valenciana, carried out the entomological surveillance of the Asian tiger mosquito along 2022 in the Valencian Autonomous Region, excepting the city of Valencia for which the surveillance was conducted by a private pest control company. The main purpose of this plan of action was both to continue the detection and monitoring of Aedes albopictus in the Valencian municipalities free of its presence until the end of 2021, and to carry out the entomological surveys related to imported arbovirus cases notified by the Regional Health System. The active search and detection of the mosquito breeding sites in both urban and peri-urban environments throughout the provinces of Alicante, Castellón and Valencia, has revealed the absence of new populations of this allochthonous mosquito in all those municipalities free of this species in December of 2021. Besides, the LEPC has conducted the mosquito surveys in 31 municipalities of the three provinces, in relation to the declaration of 33 cases of arthropod-borne diseases due to Chikungunya, dengue or Zika viruses, which were reported in travellers returning from countries of Latin America, Asia, or West Africa. The methods used to minimise the risk of local transmission of these viruses by Ae. albopictus were focused on detecting the presence of the tiger mosquito and other common native mosquito populations, at both adult and larval stages, in the surroundings of the residence of imported cases to guide the treatments of the detected resting and breeding sites. As result, tiger mosquito populations were recorded in 18 of the 33 municipalities where imported arbovirus cases were reported in 2022.

Wolbachia infection in natural mosquito populations from Argentina.

The increasing spread of mosquito vectors has made mosquito-borne arboviral diseases a global threat to public health, leading to the urgent need for effective population control methods. Strategies based in the intracellular bacterium Wolbachia Hertig, 1936 are considered environmentally friendly, safe for humans, and potentially cost-effective for controlling arboviral diseases. To minimize undesirable side effects, it is relevant to assess whether Wolbachia is present in the area and understand the diversity associated with native infections before implementing these strategies. With this purpose, we investigated Wolbachia infection status, diversity, and prevalence in populations of Aedes albifasciatus (Macquart, 1838), Aedes fluviatilis (Lutz, 1904), and hybrids of the Culex pipiens (Linnaeus, 1758) complex from Argentina. Aedes albifasciatus and C. pipiens complex samples were collected in the province of Buenos Aires, and A. fluviatilis in the province of Misiones. Aedes albifasciatus was found to be uninfected, while infections with strains wFlu and wPip were detected in A. fluviatilis and hybrids of the C. pipiens complex, respectively. All strains were fixed or close to fixation and clustered within supergroup B. These finding provides valuable information on Wolbachia strains found in natural mosquito populations in Argentina that might be used in heterologous infections in the future or be considered when designing control strategies based on Wolbachia infection.

Diversity of mosquito natural enemies and their feeding efficacy on Aedes vectors.

Mosquito-bome diseases are a major health issue among communities in Asia, and dengue has become a serious public health concern in Sri Lanka with varying magnitude since 1960. With the realization of the failures and limitations of current vector control strategies, the authorities are moving towards simple, low- cost, and eco-friendly vector management methods. Thus, the present study was devised to evaluate the potential densities of mosquito natural enemies in natural water habitats in Galle district, Sri Lanka, and to investigate the feeding efficacy of prominent mosquito natural enemies on main dengue vectors (Aedes sp.) in a laboratory setting. The survey was carried out using eight sentinel sites in Galle district, and samples of mosquito natural enemies and mosquito larvae were collected, and identified using taxonomic keys. Study records, the aquatic insects of family Hydrometridae, Belostomatidae, Notonectidae, Nepidae, Ranat- ridae, and Corixidae as dominant mosquito natural enemies, and Libellulidae and Dytiscidae insects as sub-dominant families. The highest density of the family Hydrometridae was recorded in rural, natural inland, and rocky study sites. The order Hemiptera was recorded as the key order of the mosquitos' natural enemies in Galle district. The family Hydrometridae had the highest density of recorded mosquito natural enemies. Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus were recorded as abundant vector mosquitoes. Family Nepidae is the most effective natural mosquito predator on Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, and this knowledge will be vital for implementing future biological control strategies for Aedes vectors in Sri Lanka.

Gene Drive and Symbiont Technologies for Control of Mosquito-Borne Diseases.

Mosquito-borne diseases, such as dengue and malaria, pose a significant burden to global health. Current control strategies with insecticides are only moderately effective. Scalable solutions are needed to reduce the transmission risk of these diseases. Symbionts and genome engineering-based mosquito control strategies have been proposed to address these problems. Bacterial, fungal, and viral symbionts affect mosquito reproduction, reduce mosquito lifespan, and block pathogen transmission. Field tests of endosymbiont Wolbachia-based methods have yielded promising results, but there are hurdles to overcome due to the large-scale rearing and accurate sex sorting required for Wolbachia-based suppression approaches and the ecological impediments to Wolbachia invasion in replacement approaches. Genome engineering-based methods, in which mosquitoes are genetically altered for the modification or suppression of wild populations, offer an additional approach for control of mosquito-borne diseases. In particular, the use of gene drive alleles that bias inheritance in their favor is a potentially powerful approach. Several drives are frequency dependent, potentially giving them broadly similar population dynamics to Wolbachia. However, public acceptance and the behavior of released drives in natural mosquito populations remain challenges. We summarize the latest developments and discuss the knowledge gaps in both symbiont- and gene drive-based methods.

Vector competence of Aedes albopictus field populations from Reunion Island exposed to local epidemic dengue viruses

Dengue virus (DENV) is the most prevalent mosquito-borne Flavivirus that affects humans worldwide. Aedes albopictus, which is naturally infected with the bacteria Wolbachia, is considered to be a secondary vector of DENV. However, it was responsible for a recent DENV outbreak of unprecedented magnitude in Reunion Island, a French island in the South West Indian Ocean. Moreover, the distribution of the cases during this epidemic showed a spatially heterogeneous pattern across the island, leading to questions about the differential vector competence of mosquito populations from different geographic areas. The aim of this study was to gain a better understanding of the vector competence of the Ae. albopictus populations from Reunion Island for local DENV epidemic strains, while considering their infection by Wolbachia. Experimental infections were conducted using ten populations of Ae. albopictus sampled across Reunion Island and exposed to three DENV strains: one strain of DENV serotype 1 (DENV-1) and two strains of DENV serotype 2 (DENV-2). We analyzed three vector competence parameters including infection rate, dissemination efficiency and transmission efficiency, at different days post-exposition (dpe). We also assessed whether there was a correlation between the density of Wolbachia and viral load/vector competence parameters. Our results show that the Ae. albopictus populations tested were not able to transmit the two DENV-2 strains, while transmission efficiencies up to 40.79% were observed for the DENV-1 strain, probably due to difference in viral titres. Statistical analyses showed that the parameters mosquito population, generation, dpe and area of sampling significantly affect the transmission efficiencies of DENV-1. Although the density of Wolbachia varied according to mosquito population, no significant correlation was found between Wolbachia density and either viral load or vector competence parameters for DENV-1. Our results highlight the importance of using natural mosquito populations for a better understanding of transmission patterns of dengue.

High-Throughput Screening System Evaluation of Andrographis paniculata (Burm.f.) Extracts and Their Fractions against Mosquito Vectors.

Infectious diseases that cause illness and/or death in humans can be contracted from mosquito bites. A viable and alternate method of personal protection that can lower the danger of human exposure to mosquito-borne diseases is the use of plant-based repellents. Using a high-throughput screening system, the current work examined the toxicity, contact irritancy, and spatial repellency of Andrographis paniculata crude extract and its fractions against Aedes aegypti, Anopheles minimus, and An. dirus. Five fractions (i.e., F1, F2, F3, F4, and F5) were separated from the crude extract by column and thin layer chromatography and analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry. The major active compounds identified from F3 and F5 were 4-deoxy-11,12-didehydroandrographolide and andrographolide. Three concentrations (1.0, 2.5, and 5.0%) for each of the crude extracts and the five fractions were individually impregnated on nylon netting strips and evaluated against the three mosquito species. Results showed that the highest contact irritancy was elicited by the crude extract at 5% concentration against Ae. aegypti (43.70% escaped). Results of the spatial activity index (SAI) showed that fractions F3 and F5 at 2.5% demonstrated the strongest repellency against Ae. aegypti (SAI = 0.84) and An. minimus (SAI = 0.83), respectively. Both the crude extract and its components did not cause any knockdown or mortality. These findings suggest that fractionation of A. paniculata extracts is valuable in assessing their spatial repellent efficacy against mosquitoes. Fractions F3 and F5 hold promise as natural mosquito repellents and could contribute to developing effective mosquito control strategies.

Evolutionary adaptation under climate change: Aedes sp. demonstrates potential to adapt to warming.

Climate warming is expected to shift the distributions of mosquitoes and mosquito-borne diseases, facilitating expansions at cool range edges and contractions at warm range edges. However, whether mosquito populations could maintain their warm edges through evolutionary adaptation remains unknown. Here, we investigate the potential for thermal adaptation in Aedes sierrensis, a congener of the major disease vector species that experiences large thermal gradients in its native range, by assaying tolerance to prolonged and acute heat exposure, and its genetic basis in a diverse, field-derived population. We found pervasive evidence of heritable genetic variation in acute heat tolerance, which phenotypically trades off with tolerance to prolonged heat exposure. A simple evolutionary model based on our data shows that the estimated maximum rate of evolutionary adaptation in mosquito heat tolerance typically exceeds that of projected climate warming under idealized conditions. Our findings indicate that natural mosquito populations may have the potential to track projected warming via genetic adaptation. Prior climate-based projections may thus underestimate the range of mosquito and mosquito-borne disease distributions under future climate conditions.

Pemanfaatan Serai sebagai Spray Anti Nyamuk oleh Mahasiswa KKNT Bela Negara di Desa Gedangan

Mosquito-borne diseases such as dengue fever, Zika, and malaria pose significant health threats in Indonesia, particularly in tropical areas like Gedangan Village, Jombang Regency. To reduce the risk of disease transmission, students of the Thematic Community Service Program (KKN) from Universitas Pembangunan Nasional "Veteran" Jawa Timur utilized lemongrass (Cymbopogon citratus) as the main ingredient in the production of mosquito repellent spray. This program aims to provide a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative compared to chemical-based products. The training and socialization conducted in Gedangan Village increased the community's understanding of the benefits of lemongrass and how to produce natural mosquito repellent spray. The results of this program show that lemongrass-based spray is effective as a mosquito repellent and can be a long-term solution in reducing dependence on chemical insecticides. The sustainability of this program is expected to be expanded to other villages, with support from the government and related institutions to strengthen its positive impact on public health and the environment.

Rancid rumors or Native wisdom: Evaluating the efficacy of animal fats as insect repellents attributed to historic-period Native Americans.

Little is known about Native American adaptations to blood-sucking arthropods prior to and following European contact. Multiple accounts starting in the 16th century suggest that rancid animal grease was employed by Gulf Coast indigenes as a mosquito repellent. Although many Native American ethnobotanical remedies for biting insects have been recorded, the use of animal products for this purpose is not well documented. Moreover, few traditional Native American mosquito repellents have been examined using controlled laboratory methods for repellency testing. In this study, we tested the repellent efficacy of fats derived from alligator, bear, cod, and shark that were aged to various stages of rancidity. Using yellow fever mosquitoes, (Aedes aegypti), we performed an arm-in-cage assay to measure the complete protection times resulted from these fats, when applied to human skin. We used a Y-tube olfactometer assay to evaluate long-distance repellency and tested tick-repellency in a crawling assay. Our results suggest that rancid animal fats from cod, bear, and alligator are potent albeit short-lived mosquito repellents. We found that both rancid and fresh fats do not repel ticks. Our findings show the validity of traditional ethnozoological knowledge of Native American people and support aspects of the ethnohistorical record.

Clash of mosquito wings: Larval interspecific competition among the mosquitoes, Culex pipiens, Aedes albopictus and Aedes aegypti reveals complex population dynamics in shared habitats.

Globalisation, climate change and international trade are the factors contributing to the spread of Aedes albopictus (Diptera: Culicidae) and Ae. aegypti into new areas. In newly invaded habitats, these non-native species can serve as arbovirus disease vectors or increase the risk of disease spill over. These mosquitoes continue to emerge in new areas where they have or will have overlapping ranges with other resident mosquito species. The study investigates how invasive Aedes mosquitoes compete with the native Culex pipiens in Türkiye, which might affect the overall mosquito population dynamics and disease transmission risks. Both Aedes species exhibited contrasting responses to interspecific competition with Cx. pipiens. While Ae. albopictus suffers reduced emergence primarily in larger containers with abundant food, Ae. aegypti surprisingly thrives in mixed cultures under all food conditions. Adult Cx. pipiens emergence drops by half against Ae. albopictus and under specific conditions with Ae. aegypti. Competition influences mosquito size differently across species and life stages. Culex pipiens females grow larger when competing with Ae. aegypti, potentially indicating resource advantage or compensatory strategies. However, Ae. albopictus size shows more nuanced responses, suggesting complex interactions at play. Understanding how invasive and native mosquitoes interact with each other can provide insights into how they adapt and coexist in shared habitats. This knowledge can inform effective control strategies. The study highlights the differential responses of invasive Aedes species and the potential for managing populations based on their competitive interactions with the native Cx. pipiens. It can contribute to improved monitoring and prediction systems for the spread of invasive mosquitoes and the associated disease risks.

Natural Plant-Based Mosquito Repellent Products: A Potential Complementary Tool for Malaria Vector Control Intervention and Elimination in Zimbabwe

Natural Plant-Based Mosquito Repellent Products: A Potential Complementary Tool for Malaria Vector Control Intervention and Elimination in Zimbabwe

Drosophila melanogaster Limostatin and Its Human Ortholog Promote West Nile Virus Infection.

The arbovirus West Nile virus (WNV) is a danger to global health. Spread primarily by mosquitoes, WNV causes about 2000 cases per year in the United States. The natural mosquito immune response controls viral replication so that the host survives but can still transmit the virus. Using the genetically malleable Drosophila melanogaster model, we previously dissected innate immune pathways used to control WNV infection. Specifically, we showed that insulin/IGF-1 signaling (IIS) activates a JAK/STAT-mediated immune response that reduces WNV. However, how factors that regulate IIS in insects control infection has not been identified. D. melanogaster Limostatin (Lst) encodes a peptide hormone that suppresses insulin secretion. Its mammalian ortholog, Neuromedin U (NMU), is a peptide that regulates the production and secretion of insulin from pancreatic beta cells. In this study, we used D. melanogaster and human cell culture models to investigate the roles of these insulin regulators in immune signaling. We found that D. melanogaster Lst mutants, which have elevated insulin-like peptide expression, are less susceptible to WNV infection. Increased levels of insulin-like peptides in these flies result in upregulated JAK/STAT activity, leading to protection from infection. Treatment of human cells with the insulin regulator NMU results in increased WNV replication. Further investigation of methods to target Lst in mosquitoes or NMU in mammals can improve vector control methods and may lead to improved therapeutics for human and animal infection.

Chemical Composition, Repellent, and Oviposition Deterrent Potential of Wild Plant Essential Oils against Three Mosquito Species.

In this study, the chemical composition, repellent, and oviposition deterrent effects of five plant essential oils (EOs) extracted from Lantana camara (Verbenaceae), Schinus terebinthifolia (Anacardiaceae), Callistemon viminalis (Myrtaceae), Helichrysum odoratissimum (Asteraceae), and Hyptis suaveolens (Lamiaceae) were evaluated against Aedes aegypti, Anopheles gambiae, and Culex quinquefasciatus. When tested at 33.3 µg/cm2, L. camara, S. terebinthifolia, C. viminalis, and H. odoratissimum were effective repellents against Ae. aegypti (89%, 91%, 90%, and 51% repellency, respectively), but they were less repellent against An. gambiae (66%, 86%, 59%, and 49% repellency, respectively). Interestingly, L. camara, S. terebinthifolia, C. viminalis, and H. odoratissimum exhibited 100% repellency against Cx. quinquefasciatus at 33.3 μg/cm2. In time-span bioassays performed at 333 μg/cm2, the EO of L. camara exhibited 100% repellence against Ae. aegypti and An. gambiae for up to 15 min and against Cx. quinquefasciatus for 75 min. The oviposition bioassays revealed that L. camara exhibited the highest activity, showing 85%, 59%, and 89% oviposition deterrence against Ae. aegypti, An. gambiae, and Cx. quinquefasciatus, respectively. The major compounds of L. camara, S. terebinthifolia, and C. viminalis were trans-β-caryophyllene (16.7%), α-pinene (15.5%), and 1,8-cineole (38.1%), respectively. In conclusion, the L. camara and S. terebinthifolia EOs have the potential to be natural mosquito repellents.

Diversity of mosquito natural enemies and their feeding efficacy on Aedes vectors.

Mosquito-borne diseases are a major health issue among communities in Asia, and dengue has grown up as a serious public health concern in Sri Lanka with varying magnitude since 1960. With the realization of the failures and limitations of current vector control strategies, the authorities are moving towards simple, low-cost, and eco-friendly vector management methods. Thus, the present study was devised to evaluate the potential densities of mosquito natural enemies in natural water habitats in Galle district, Sri Lanka, and to investigate the feeding efficacy of prominent mosquito natural enemies on main dengue vectors (Aedes sp.) in a laboratory setting. The survey was carried out using eight sentinel sites in Galle district, and samples of mosquito natural enemies and mosquito larvae were collected, and then they were identified using taxonomic keys. Study records, the aquatic insects of Family Hydrometridae, Belostomatidae, Notonectidae, Nepidae, Ranatridae, and Corixidae as dominant mosquito natural enemies, and Libellulidae and Dytiscidae insects as sub-dominant families. The highest density of the family Hydrometridae was recorded in rural, natural inland, and rocky study sites. The order Hemiptera was recorded as the key order of the mosquitoes natural enemies in Galle district. The family Hydrometridae had the highest density of recorded mosquito natural enemies. Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus were recorded as abundant vector mosquitoes. Family Nepidae is the most effective natural mosquito predator on Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus, and this knowledge will be vital for implementing future biological control strategies for Aedes vectors in Sri Lanka.

Mosquito Microbiomes of Rwanda: Characterizing Mosquito Host and Microbial Communities in the Land of a Thousand Hills.

Mosquitoes are a complex nuisance around the world and tropical countries bear the brunt of the burden of mosquito-borne diseases. Rwanda has had success in reducing malaria and some arboviral diseases over the last few years, but still faces challenges to elimination. By building our understanding of in situ mosquito communities in Rwanda at a disturbed, human-occupied site and at a natural, preserved site, we can build our understanding of natural mosquito microbiomes toward the goal of implementing novel microbial control methods. Here, we examined the composition of collected mosquitoes and their microbiomes at two diverse sites using Cytochrome c Oxidase I sequencing and 16S V4 high-throughput sequencing. The majority (36 of 40 species) of mosquitoes captured and characterized in this study are the first-known record of their species for Rwanda but have been characterized in other nations in East Africa. We found significant differences among mosquito genera and among species, but not between mosquito sexes or catch method. Bacteria of interest for arbovirus control, Asaia, Serratia, and Wolbachia, were found in abundance at both sites and varied greatly by species.