Author: Rohit Nehra, Suman Dhanda, Himmat Singh, Praveen Kumar Bharti, Kuldeep Singh
Citation: Nehra, Rohit, et al. "Biopesticides as an eco‐friendly approach to mosquitoes and their role in reducing transmission of vector‐borne disease: updates and prospects." Pest Management Science (2026).
Abstract:
https://scijournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ps.71077
In recent years, biopesticides have emerged as a transformative approach to mosquito vector control, offering an eco-friendly alternative that addresses both the growing challenge of insecticide resistance and ecological concerns. Biopesticides extracts from natural sources or their secondary metabolites, botanical extracts, entomopathogenic fungi, and biocides from a broad class of bacteria, including Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), have shown high efficacy against a variety of mosquito species, including those that are multiple or cross-resistant to conventional chemical insecticides. Microbial biopesticides, including bacterial agents such as Bacillus bassiana (Bs) and Metarhizium anisopliae, and viral pathogens, disrupt the life cycle of mosquitoes by specific modes of action: Bti produces cry and cyt toxins that lyse midgut epithelium, and neem-extract azadirachtin inhibits ecdysone signaling, reducing fecundity. Novel microbial biopesticides not only kills insecticide-resistant mosquitoes but also acts synergistically with chemical insecticides, disrupting mosquito host-seeking behavior and pathogen transmission. Field trials demonstrate 80–100% larval reduction with Bti in treated water bodies with effects 2–4 weeks, and fungi achieve 60–85% adult mortality. Recent advances include the development of novel formulations, such as combining Bti with a fungal pathogen such as Lagenidium giganteum to increase larvicidal activity and reduce the likelihood of resistance. These biopesticides minimize non-target effects and support sustainable disease management in the face of an increasing malaria burden. This comprehensive review focused on biopesticides which are more effective, safer and eco-friendly and provides a recent integrated framework that links human, animal and environmental health and improves the effectiveness of mosquito control.
Author: Rohit Nehra, Suman Dhanda, Himmat Singh, Praveen Kumar Bharti, Kuldeep Singh
Citation: Nehra, Rohit, et al. "Biopesticides as an eco‐friendly approach to mosquitoes and their role in reducing transmission of vector‐borne disease: updates and prospects." Pest Management Science (2026).
Abstract:
https://scijournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1002/ps.71077
In recent years, biopesticides have emerged as a transformative approach to mosquito vector control, offering an eco-friendly alternative that addresses both the growing challenge of insecticide resistance and ecological concerns. Biopesticides extracts from natural sources or their secondary metabolites, botanical extracts, entomopathogenic fungi, and biocides from a broad class of bacteria, including Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), have shown high efficacy against a variety of mosquito species, including those that are multiple or cross-resistant to conventional chemical insecticides. Microbial biopesticides, including bacterial agents such as Bacillus bassiana (Bs) and Metarhizium anisopliae, and viral pathogens, disrupt the life cycle of mosquitoes by specific modes of action: Bti produces cry and cyt toxins that lyse midgut epithelium, and neem-extract azadirachtin inhibits ecdysone signaling, reducing fecundity. Novel microbial biopesticides not only kills insecticide-resistant mosquitoes but also acts synergistically with chemical insecticides, disrupting mosquito host-seeking behavior and pathogen transmission. Field trials demonstrate 80–100% larval reduction with Bti in treated water bodies with effects 2–4 weeks, and fungi achieve 60–85% adult mortality. Recent advances include the development of novel formulations, such as combining Bti with a fungal pathogen such as Lagenidium giganteum to increase larvicidal activity and reduce the likelihood of resistance. These biopesticides minimize non-target effects and support sustainable disease management in the face of an increasing malaria burden. This comprehensive review focused on biopesticides which are more effective, safer and eco-friendly and provides a recent integrated framework that links human, animal and environmental health and improves the effectiveness of mosquito control.