Determination of the Efficacy of Entomopathogenic Fungus (Metarhizium anisopliae) for the Control of Culex quinquefasciatus, a Filariasis Vector
Several mosquito species serve as vectors for many parasitic diseases. Control measures of such vector borne diseases rely majorly on the use of chemical insecticide, which in turn has an adverse effect on both the environment and public health. There is an increase need for an eco-friendly approach to counteract the negative impact of the conventional chemical insecticide. In this study, the efficacy entomopathogenic fungi Metarhizium anisopliae was tested against the larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus under laboratory condition. Fourth instar larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus were treated against different concentration (107, 108, 109 and 1010 conidia/ml) of Metarhizium anisopliae, each treatment containing 20 larvae with three replicates and a control. The experiment was allowed to run for a period of 120 hours. Mortality was recorded at an interval of 24 hours. Probit analysis was used to determine LC50, LC90, LC95 and LC99. For all the selected concentration, highest mortality of 42 (70,0%), 48 (80.0%), 51 (85.0%) and 57 (95.0%) were recorded after 120 hour. 1.79 × 103, 3.96 × 104, 4.97 × 105, 7.58 × 108 conidia/ml were the LC50, LC90, LC95 and LC99 recorded respectively. Metarhizium anisopliae has the potential to be used as biocontrol agent for Culex quinquefasciatus and is suitable candidate for further research.
