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A new study reveals that mosquito larvae develop more rapidly when exposed to certain bacteria, a finding that could enhance global health programs aimed at controlling mosquito-borne diseases. The Aedes aegypti mosquito, which spreads illnesses like dengue, yellow fever, and Zika, is often targeted in anti-disease programs. These programs release non-biting male mosquitoes, either sterile or genetically modified to prevent disease transmission. This approach is proving more effective than widespread insecticide spraying, as mosquitoes have developed resistance to many common chemicals.
The research, conducted by the University of Exeter and Wageningen University, explored how a specific bacteria, Asaia, affects the development of mosquito larvae. The study found that exposure to Asaia bacteria speeds up the development of larvae by one day. This acceleration could greatly improve mass-rearing programs, which need to produce large numbers of adult mosquitoes for release in control efforts.
Published in the Journal of Applied Microbiology, the study titled "Asaia spp. accelerate development of the yellow fever mosquito, Aedes aegypti, via interactions with the vertically transmitted larval microbiome," highlights the role of microbiomes in mosquito development. According to Professor Ben Raymond from the University of Exeter, while every species—humans included—depends on a microbiome, the role of Asaia bacteria in the microbiome of Aedes aegypti has never been thoroughly examined before.
The study demonstrated that Aedes aegypti larvae typically take around 10 days to develop, and a one-day reduction in development time could be a significant advantage in mass production. By adding Asaia bacteria to the water where mosquito larvae grow, researchers found that two specific species of Asaia bacteria accelerated the larval development process.
Though the exact mechanism behind this acceleration remains unclear, the researchers suggest that the bacteria don’t provide direct nutritional benefits. Instead, Asaia bacteria seem to alter the overall bacterial community within the larvae, reducing the presence of certain bacteria—some of which might be slightly parasitic. Additionally, Asaia bacteria lower oxygen levels in the water, which leads to the production of hormones that stimulate faster development.
This discovery could be an important step in optimizing mass mosquito rearing techniques for use in disease control programs, providing a more efficient way to generate mosquitoes that can reduce the spread of dangerous diseases.