A nonlive preparation of Chromobacterium sp. Panama (Csp_P) is a highly effective larval mosquito biopesticide

Eric P. Caragata, Luisa M. Otero, Jenny S. Carlson, Nahid Borhani Dizaji, George Dimopoulos

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Scopus citations

Abstract

Given the continued high prevalence of mosquito-transmitted diseases, there is a clear need to develop novel disease and vector control strategies. Biopesticides of microbial origin represent a promising source of new approaches to target disease-transmitting mosquito populations. Here, we describe the development and characterization of a novel mosquito biopesticide, derived from an air-dried, nonlive preparation of the bacterium Chromobacterium sp. Panama (family: Neisseriaceae). This preparation rapidly and effectively kills the larvae of prominent mosquito vectors, including the dengue and Zika vector Aedes aegypti and the human malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. During semi-field trials in Puerto Rico, we observed high efficacy of the biopesticide against field-derived A. aegypti populations, and against A. aegypti and Culex species larvae in natural breeding water, indicating the suitability of the biopesticide for use under more natural conditions. In addition to high efficacy, the nonlive Csp_P biopesticide has a low effective dose, a long shelf life, and high heat stability and can be incorporated into attractive larval baits, all of which are desirable characteristics for a biopesticide.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article numbere00240
JournalApplied and environmental microbiology
Volume86
Issue number11
DOIs
StatePublished - 2020

Keywords

  • Aedes aegypti
  • Anopheles gambiae
  • Biopesticide
  • Chromobacterium Csp_P
  • Culex quinquefasciatus
  • Insecticide
  • Mosquito control
  • Semi-field trial

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Biotechnology
  • Food Science
  • Ecology
  • Applied Microbiology and Biotechnology

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