Biological Control of Mosquitoes Using Entomopathogenic Microbes: Efficacy, Ecology, and Environmental Impact

Abstract

Mosquitoes are among the most important vectors of human disease, transmitting pathogens responsible for malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Zika virus, filariasis, and yellow fever. Despite decades of insecticide-based control, vector populations remain resilient due to the rapid development of resistance and the ecological drawbacks of chemical interventions. Biological control using entomopathogenic microbes has emerged as a sustainable and eco-friendly alternative, offering specificity, safety, and the potential for long-term integration into vector management programs. Microbes such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti), Bacillus sphaericus (Bs), entomopathogenic fungi (Metarhizium anisopliae, Beauveria bassiana), viruses, and microsporidia demonstrate strong efficacy against different mosquito life stages. This review synthesizes current knowledge on the efficacy of entomopathogenic microbes, their ecological interactions, and their environmental impacts. It examines mechanisms of infection, field performance, resistance dynamics, and compatibility with integrated vector management (IVM). Furthermore, it discusses environmental safety, formulation challenges, and recent innovations such as microbial consortia and genetic engineering. While microbial biocontrol holds great promise, scaling up production, ensuring formulation stability, and evaluating long-term ecological consequences remain challenges. We conclude by identifying key research priorities and strategies for integrating microbial tools into future climate-resilient mosquito control frameworks..