Aquatic Stage Mosquito Biocontrol: Effects of Entomopathogenic Fungi Blastospores and Conidia on Aedes aegypti Pupae

Author

Ricardo Alberto Ramirez Garcia Rojas, The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley

Date of Award

8-2020

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department

Agricultural, Environmental, and Sustainability Sciences

First Advisor

Dr. Alexis E. Racelis

Second Advisor

Dr. Joanne Rampersad-Ammons

Third Advisor

Dr. Christopher Vitek

Abstract

Fungal entomopathogens present an opportunity to produce mosquito controls on-site, from remote locations to developing communities. Locally produced biopesticides have the potential to empower communities to develop internal disease vector control initiatives to protect local public health. We tested the effectiveness of the conidia solution and blastospore solution of Metarhizium anisopliae E9, Metarhizium anisopliae E1037, Isaria fumosorosea A97, and Isaria fumosorosea 9901 in controlling Aedes aegypti pupae. We observed that entomopathogenic fungi liquid blastospore solution induce mortality in Aedes aegypti pupae at a significantly greater rate than conidia solution and control treatment.

However, further analysis of testing methods used in this study reveal that results may be an inaccurate representation of the fungi’s effect on mosquito pupae.

Comments

Copyright 2020 Ricardo Alberto Ramirez Garcia-­Rojas. All Rights Reserved.

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/utrgv.edu?url=https://www.proquest.com/dissertations-theses/aquatic-stage-mosquito-biocontrol-effects/docview/2496213619/se-2?accountid=7119

Recommended Citation

Ramirez Garcia Rojas, Ricardo Alberto, "Aquatic Stage Mosquito Biocontrol: Effects of Entomopathogenic Fungi Blastospores and Conidia on Aedes aegypti Pupae" (2020). Theses and Dissertations. 749.
https://scholarworks.utrgv.edu/etd/749