Interbreeding of two malaria mosquito species in the West African country of Mali has resulted in a “super mosquito” hybrid that’s resistant to insecticide-treated bed nets.
“It’s ‘super’ with respect to its ability to survive exposure to the insecticides on treated bed nets,” said medical entomologist Gregory Lanzaro of UC Davis, who led the research team.
The research, published Jan. 6 in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, “provides convincing evidence indicating that a man-made change in the environment — the introduction of insecticides — has altered the evolutionary relationship between two species, in this case a breakdown in the reproductive isolation that separates them,” said Lanzaro, who is director of the Vector Genetics Laboratory and professor in the Department of Pathology, Microbiology and Immunology in the School of Veterinary Medicine.
“What we provide in this new paper is an example of one unusual mechanism that has promoted the rapid evolution of insecticide resistance in one of the major malaria mosquito species.”
Anopheles gambiae, a major malaria vector, is interbreeding with isolated pockets of another malaria mosquito, A. coluzzii. Entomologists initially considered them as the “M and S forms” of Anopheles gambiae. They are now recognized as separate species.
The insecticide resistance came as no surprise. “Growing resistance has been observed for some time,” Lanzaro said. “Recently it has reached a level at some localities in Africa where it is resulting in the failure of the nets to provide meaningful control, and it is my opinion that this will increase.”
Lanzaro credits insecticide-treated nets with saving many thousands, probably tens of thousands of lives in Mali alone. The World Health Organization’s World Malaria Report indicates that deaths from malaria worldwide have decreased by 47 percent since 2000. Much of that is attributed to the insecticide-treated bed nets.
However, it was just a matter of time for insecticide resistance to emerge, medical entomologists and epidemiologist agree. Now there’s “an urgent need to develop new and effective malaria vector control strategies,” Lanzaro said. A number of new strategies are in development, including new insecticides, biological agents — including mosquito-killing bacteria and fungi — and genetic manipulation of mosquitoes aimed at either killing them or altering their ability to transmit the malaria parasite.
Read more: Hybrid “super mosquito” resistant to insecticide-treated bed nets
The Latest on: Hybrid super mosquito
via Google News
The Latest on: Hybrid super mosquito
- REVIEW: 2022 Toyota Tundra TRD Pro i-FORCE MAX Hybridon July 26, 2022 at 3:42 pm
The twist here is my review vehicle has the all-new i-FORCE MAX hybrid. The technology places ... This system is lightning fast and super simple. This is one of the best touchscreens I've ...
- Say goodbye to mosquitos in your home—save more than 50% on this bug catcher today at Amazonon July 26, 2022 at 11:13 am
Measuring in at just over 9 inches tall, the indoor bug trap is super compact and runs quiet. Perfect for use in kitchens and living rooms, the mosquito trap comes with 10 easy-to-replace glue ...
- Portsmouth aerial mosquito spraying to be conducted Wednesday eveningon July 26, 2022 at 9:17 am
Aerial mosquito spraying is set to be conducted over parts of Portsmouth, Wednesday evening. The 757th Airlift Squadron from Youngstown Air Reserve Station, Ohio will spray over Craney Island, Navy ...
- Best Hybrid and Electric Cars of 2022: How Much They Cost and More To Knowon July 17, 2022 at 4:13 pm
With gas prices on the rise, you may be looking to make the switch to a hybrid or electric vehicle. When choosing a hybrid or EV, you need to take certain factors into consideration that you don't ...
- The 25 Most Popular Prime Day Deals According to Wirecutter Readerson July 12, 2022 at 12:45 pm
Read our review of the best Wi-Fi extender and signal booster. Mosquito bites can take a fun outdoor event and quickly turn it into a nightmare. To keep mosquitoes away from your deck or patio ...
- The Best Prime Day Deals on Things for Your Home and Kitchenon July 12, 2022 at 11:26 am
As a relative newcomer to the kitchen appliance world, Cleanblend's blender is a super-powerful option that ... Zinus Green Tea Memory Foam Hybrid Mattress (12-Inch) Deal price: $282; street ...
- Is Tempur-Pedic's New Mattress-in-a-Box Actually Worth It?on July 7, 2022 at 4:32 pm
Tempur-Cloud mattress overview • Height: 10 inches • Sizes: Twin, Twin XL, Full, Queen, King, Split King and California King • Firmness level: Medium • Mattress type: All foam or hybrid • Price range: ...
- 31 Types Of Lemons And What Makes Them Uniqueon June 24, 2022 at 12:59 pm
Some of these lemons are hybrids with other lemons ... also aren't impossible to grow in diverse climates. They're not super cold-hardy but are relatively moderate in size. Meaning that you ...
- Lakewood man sets record for solo, unsupported traverse of Tenmile-Mosquito Rangeon September 4, 2021 at 5:43 pm
Garrison Hommer, 33, of Lakewood set a new record time last month for the traverse of the Tenmile-Mosquito Range in unsupported ... Once Hommer got past the super tricky Class 5 notch just before ...
- Mosquito Busters: What Works Best?on June 6, 2021 at 8:35 am
01:30 Consumer Reports conducted elaborate tests to see whether the Off! Citronella bucket, Bug Band Portable Diffuser or wristbands from Coleman and Super Band will ward off mosquitoes.
via Bing News
One Comment
saidi
discover our solutions against tiger mosquitoes and bed bugs