Natural occurrence of Edhazardia aedis and its viability for biological control of Aedes aegypti in São Paulo, Brazil.

• Grant number: 16/08990-8
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: September 01, 2016
• End date: August 31, 2018
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Parasitology - Entomology and Malacology of Parasites and Vectors
• Principal Investigator: Carlos José Pereira da Cunha de Araújo Coutinho
• Grantee: Carlos José Pereira da Cunha de Araújo Coutinho
• Host Institution: Superintendência de Controle de Endemias (SUCEN). São Paulo , SP, Brazil
• City of the host institution: São Paulo
• Associated researchers: Artur Trancoso Lopo de Queiróz ; Isabel Maria Vicente Guedes de Carvalho Mello

Abstract

The Aedes aegypti mosquitoes are important human pathogenic agent vectors. They already have been associated to dengue, zika, Chikungunya, yellow fever, and Saint Louis encephalitis outbreaks. Mosquitoes control strategies have been carried out mainly through application of chemical insecticides, which have disadvantages, such as: selection of resistance within target insect populations and high cost of development of new molecules for use in resistant populations; absence of specificity, acting on non-target organisms; some may be toxic to vertebrates. Thus, there is a growing demand for alternative to these insecticides. Biological control has been proven to be of great value for invertebrates control in public health, since it uses biological organisms that are highly specialized pathogens to target insects. Moreover, because they are living organisms, there is almost no resistance selection rate, being very advantageous when compared to chemicals. The present study aims to identify, isolate and perform the molecular characterization of pathogens of Aedes aegypti that have vertical transmission and potential for use in control and integrated management activities. To do so, egg collections will be held fortnightly through oviposition traps that will be installed at various points in the state of São Paulo. A. aegypti eggs will be hatched, and resulting larvae will be screened looking E. aedis infection signals. Confirmation of infection will be made through morphological analysis of the spores and molecular analysis of the 16s rDNA fragment. Bioassays of Susceptibility and mortality will be performed to those found parasites in order to assess their viability for the control of A. aegypti. (AU)