Identification and Biocontrol Potentials of Entomopathogenic Fungi, Isaria fumosorosea Isolated from the Anophelines Mosquito in Katsina, Northwest, Nigeria

Abstract

Malaria vector control primarily relies on insecticides to kill vectors. However, the rising concern of insecticide resistance in vector  populations and the environmental health risk pose significant challenges to this approach. Therefore, this study is determined to  identify indigenous isolates of entomopathogenic fungi (EPF) found naturally infecting malaria vectors and to test their biological potentials as part of integrated vector management (IVM). Isaria fumosorosea was identified by morphological characterization  (macroscopic and microscopic observation) and tested its virulence against larval and adult Anopheles mosquitoes using three different  I. fumosorosea conidia concentrations (1×10⁶, 1×10⁷, and 1×10⁸ conidia/mL). The Isaria fumosorosea isolate reduced the population of  larvae and adult Anopheles mosquitoes compared to the control treatment. Findings from this study recommend that locally isolated EPF  have the potential to be developed as biopesticides in the future to control adult Anopheles mosquitoes.