Advances in Mosquito Control: A Comprehensive Review

Mosquitoes are the important global vectors transmitting diseases of human concern such as dengue, Chikungunya, Malaria, encephalitis and yellow fever, etc. Management of mosquito-borne diseases largely relies on the vector management because of the lack of effective medication and vaccination. Several strategies have been formulated and applied in the fields to control mosquitoes; yet there is a continued rise in mosquito-borne diseases leading to sufferings and morbidities. Presently, chemical interventions are the most preferred methods which has impacted human health and the environment negatively. These issues have created a demand to devise novel approaches which can be used safely and effectively for mosquito management. Thus, several innovative mosquito control interventions have been devised based on genetic, physical and behavioral modifications in mosquitoes. These strategies span from Sterile Insect Technique (SIT) Release of Insects Carrying a Dominant Lethal (RIDL), creating transgenics with abnormal and lethal genes, gene drive technology, reducing the vectorial capacity by Wolbachia infection and application of attractive toxic sugar baits (ATSB), or by lasers and light detectors to investigate their behavior, and enhance their trap and kill. This Chapter gives a comprehensive overview of the conventional, and novel and innovative techniques devised for the control of mosquito vectors

Buffalo colostrum- A novel substitute of human serum for the cultivation of Plasmodium falciparum in vitro

In vitro cultivation of erythrocytic stages of  Plasmodium falciparum requires supplementing the culture medium with human serum. The present study was carried out to explore an alternative to human serum. Different human serum samples were found to vary considerably in their ability to support the growth of erythrocytic stages of P. falciparum in vitro. These results strongly suggested the use of pooled human serum for comparing the growth of parasites in medium augmented with other supplements.  Parasites could multiply for a few cycles only in  RPMI (Roswell Park Memorial Institute) medium supplemented with serum obtained from pig, goat, sheep or buffalo. Continued cultivation could not be achieved using any one of these animal sera.  Ability of bovine colostrum was investigated as an alternative to human serum. Buffalo colostrum, 10%(v/v) 'suitably prepared' supported the continuous growth and multiplication of P. falciparum .  Morphologically both asexual and sexual stages appeared normal and healthy, but the multiplication rate of parasites grown in colostrum augmented medium was found to be lower than that in serum-supplemented medium. The one month of uninterrupted cultivation of P. falciparum registered 106 fold increase in parasite density compared to 1010 fold multiplication recorded in control culture with 10% serum supplement. Cow colostrum failed to support the growth and multiplication of parasites beyond 6 days in culture. The initial positive results with buffalo colostrum hold promise and should be explored further as a potential substitute for human serum for continuous in vitro propagation of erythrocytic stages of the malignant malaria parasite

Nanopesticides: Promising Future in Sustainable Pest Management

Insects form the most successful and diverse group of animals present on earth today. Humans have shared a complex relationship with the insects. Though insects are indispensable as pollinators of crops yet at the same time they act as major destroyer of grains, pulses and fruits in the fields along with their post- harvest storage. Many of the dreadful diseases are also being transmitted by insect vectors to humans, livestock and other animals. Economic damage caused by insect pests is enormous. Adoption of advanced pest management strategies can alleviate the monetary losses substantially. Nanotechnological approach for pest control is an emerging and effective technique since it encompasses a wide range of objectives of an efficient pesticide like increased dispersion and solubility, slow release, controlled delivery system and protection against degradation. Newer formulations of pesticides with the intervention of nanotechnology are aimed to enhance their pesticidal properties. Insecticide formulations using nanomaterials as carriers of active ingredient have shown promising results for mitigation of pests of agriculture, storage and disease vectors. However, at present the knowledge is limited. There is a need for extensive evaluation of the toxicity of nanopesticides and the risks involved for humans and environment before their large-scale production and adoption. In this review article nanoformulations of pesticides with special emphasis on metal-based nanopesticides and their role as efficient alternatives in sustainable control of insect pests without much adverse impact on the environment has been summarized. &nbsp