Assessment of Lethal, Sublethal, and Transgenerational Effects of <i>Beauveria bassiana</i> on the Demography of <i>Aedes albopictus</i> (Culicidae: Diptera)

oleh: Rana Fartab Shoukat, Junaid Zafar, Muhammad Shakeel, Yuxin Zhang, Shoaib Freed, Xiaoxia Xu, Fengliang Jin

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: MDPI AG 2020-03-01

Deskripsi

Dengue fever is one of the most rapidly spreading arthropod-borne diseases. Diurnal vectorial properties of <i>Aedes albopictus</i> contribute to the dispersion of the dengue viruses. Frequent and injudicious use of synthetic insecticides led to the evolution of resistant phenotypes in <i>Ae. albopictus</i> which necessitates the search for an alternative of current control strategies. Developing a long-lasting and environmentally safe tactic based on knowledge of ecology and population dynamics of <i>Ae. albopictus</i> is critical. Therefore, with a view towards biological control and ecology, the effect of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) <i>Beauveria bassiana</i> on filial and first filial generations of <i>Ae. albopictus</i> were studied. Investigations showed 87.5% adulticidal activity leading to altered fecundity and adult longevity in a filial generation. The lethal (LC<sub>50</sub>) and sublethal (LC<sub>20</sub>) concentrations of <i>B. bassiana</i> were applied to filial generation (F<sub>0</sub>) to study demographic parameters in the first filial generation (F<sub>1</sub>). Results showed reduced net reproductive rates (<i>R<sub>o</sub>)</i> intrinsic rate of increase (<i>r</i>)<i>,</i> and mean generation time (<i>T)</i> compared to uninfected controls. Prolonged larval and pupal duration were observed followed by reduced longevity of male and female adults. Fecundity in the first filial generation was significantly changed with the lethal and sublethal concentrations of <i>B. bassiana.</i> Thus, it is concluded that <i>B. bassiana</i> has the potential to play a vital role in integrated mosquito management strategies.