Scientists discover Amazonian fungi effective against Aedes aegypti mosquitoes

Federal University of Acre (UFAC) researchers have identified three species of fungi from the Amazon rainforest with notable efficacy in controlling Aedes aegypti mosquito larvae. This discovery comes at a crucial time, as mosquito-borne diseases — particularly dengue fever — continue to pose a significant health threat in the Brazilian Amazon.

Aedes aegypti populations persist throughout the year in the Amazon, with rainy seasons leading to significant increases in vector numbers, contributing to epidemic outbreaks of viral diseases such as dengue, chikungunya, malaria, and zika. 

Characteristics essential to the effectiveness of Aedes aegypti as a vector include easy adaptation to urban environments, particularly domestic spaces, and obtaining nutrition for reproduction from human blood. According to the researchers, “this characteristic makes this strain highly interesting for applications in new breeding sites in regions that are difficult to access by health agents, a common case in the Amazon.”

Since the beginning of 2023, significant dengue fever outbreaks have been recorded in the Americas,...