GM fungus rapidly kills 99% of malaria mosquitoes, study suggests

BBC ^ | James Gallagher

[BenLurkin]

A fungus - genetically enhanced to produce spider toxin - can rapidly kill huge numbers of the mosquitoes that spread malaria, a study suggests.

Trials, which took place in Burkina Faso, showed mosquito populations collapsed by 99% within 45 days.

Conducting the study, researchers at the University of Maryland in the US - and the IRSS research institute in Burkina Faso - first identified a fungus called Metarhizium pingshaense, which naturally infects the Anopheles mosquitoes that spread malaria.

The next stage was to enhance the fungus.

They turned to a toxin found in the venom of a species of funnel-web spider in Australia.

The genetic instructions for making the toxin were added to the fungus's own genetic code so it would start making the toxin once it was inside a mosquito.

[Hootowl]

IIRC when the House held hearings about the danger of DDT the company president, while testifying, kept a bowl of DDT beside him and once in a while took a spoonful of it.

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“Most likely we’ll end up with a mutated mosquito that injects venom.

Or flying, poisonous, bloodsucking Werewolf Spiders.

[CrazyIvan]

“now if we can just find one that will only replicate in a tick’s system- lyme diseases is becoming a huge problem”

It can actually be argued that mosquitos do some good through pollination. I researched and there is nothing beneficial about ticks. Their extinction would be a blessing.

[Jemian]

Animals who feed on mosquitoes could die out too

If it isn't used, people could die out. There aren't enough bats controlling the mosquito population as far as I can see. Malaria is such an insidious disease. Furthermore, some types of malaria can lead to a person, especially a child, developing a certain type of lymphoma.

I state all this as a survivor of perhaps 50 cases of malaria, mostly tersiana, but a handful of tropica types thrown in. I've also survived at least two cases of dengue fever. While that is caused by a different type of mosquito, it is still spread by a mosquito. More needs to be done to erradicate the problem. (No, I don't think the US needs to be throwing money at it.)

[Iscool]

I can see it now...The Democrats will want to put the mosquitoes on the endangered species list...

[faturism]

Or the Vega bug

[Fungi]

Your most honorable nullness. A short course in insect mycology,There are many of theses insect killers. Entomophthora muscae, Beauveria bassiana , and Metarrisia anisophilae all have different means to attack different hosts. .

B. Bassiana on cicada.

B. Bassiana on Chinch bug .

.

Entomophthora muscae on common fly. The name means "fly killer." May the void never enfulf the nullness.

[Chickensoup]

Is there any possible thing that can kill all the black flies?

[Fungi]

Not to my knowledge. The flies must be in contact with the spore of the fungus, through the air,or in contact with a dead fly killed by the fungus. 100 % extermination is almost impossible.

[Chickensoup]

Pity

I read somewhere that black flies are totally unnecessary to the food chain. Nothing depends on them.

They are an unnecessary evil.

[Fungi]

Not really. Flies, all 100,000 or so species, have specialized niches in nature and do serve a unique purpose. Although I do agree with you, they are a pain in the ass.