Entomopathogenic Fungi as Alternatives to Chemical Acaricides: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects for Sustainable Tick Control
Entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) can infect and kill a diverse range of arthropods, including ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) that can transmit various diseases to animals and humans. Consequently, the use of EPFs as a biocontrol method for managing tick populations has been explored as an alternative to chemi...
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MDPI AG
2024-12-01
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| Series: | Insects |
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| author | Mahvish Rajput Muhammad Sohail Sajid Nasir Ahmed Rajput David Robert George Muhammad Usman Muhammad Zeeshan Owais Iqbal Bachal Bhutto Muhammad Atiq Hafiz Muhammad Rizwan Ian Kirimi Daniel Olivier Andre Sparagano |
| author_facet | Mahvish Rajput Muhammad Sohail Sajid Nasir Ahmed Rajput David Robert George Muhammad Usman Muhammad Zeeshan Owais Iqbal Bachal Bhutto Muhammad Atiq Hafiz Muhammad Rizwan Ian Kirimi Daniel Olivier Andre Sparagano |
| author_sort | Mahvish Rajput |
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| description | Entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) can infect and kill a diverse range of arthropods, including ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) that can transmit various diseases to animals and humans. Consequently, the use of EPFs as a biocontrol method for managing tick populations has been explored as an alternative to chemical acaricides, which may have harmful effects on the environment and non-target species. This review summarizes studies conducted on EPFs for tick control between 1998 and 2024, identifying 9 different EPF species that have been used against 15 different species of ticks. One of the most well-known and widely researched EPFs used against ticks is <i>Metarhizium anisopliae</i>, a fungus known for its ability to infect and kill various arthropods. When applied to tick-infested areas, <i>M. anisopliae</i> spores attach to the tick’s cuticle, germinate, and penetrate through the cuticle, leading to the eventual death of the tick due to the fungal infection. Whilst a number of studies support the potential of this and other EPF species against ticks, this review suggests that limitations to their effective use may include factors such as heat, humidity, and ultraviolet light (UV-A and UV-B). This comprehensive review aims to provide an overview of the literature on the potential of EPFs in tick control, focusing on their mode of action, previous field successes/failures, advantages, potential applications, and prospects for future practical developments. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ee0a421ed4ef42f78099d559a2c72da4 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2075-4450 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insects |
| spelling | doaj-art-ee0a421ed4ef42f78099d559a2c72da42025-08-20T02:00:28ZengMDPI AGInsects2075-44502024-12-011512101710.3390/insects15121017Entomopathogenic Fungi as Alternatives to Chemical Acaricides: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects for Sustainable Tick ControlMahvish Rajput0Muhammad Sohail Sajid1Nasir Ahmed Rajput2David Robert George3Muhammad Usman4Muhammad Zeeshan5Owais Iqbal6Bachal Bhutto7Muhammad Atiq8Hafiz Muhammad Rizwan9Ian Kirimi Daniel10Olivier Andre Sparagano11Department of Parasitology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, PakistanDepartment of Parasitology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, PakistanDepartment of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, PakistanReader in Precision Agronomy, School of Natural and Environmental Sciences, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne NE1 7RU, UKDepartment of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, PakistanDepartment of Parasitology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, PakistanState Key Laboratory for Conversation and Utilization of Bio-Resource in Yunnan, Yunnan Agricultural University, Kunming 650000, ChinaDepartment of Veterinary Parasitology, Sindh Agriculture University, Tandojam 70060, PakistanDepartment of Plant Pathology, University of Agriculture Faisalabad, Faisalabad 38000, PakistanSection of Parasitology, Department of Pathobiology, KBCMA College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Narowal, Sub Campus UVAS, Lahore 54000, PakistanDepartment of Veterinary Pathobiology, School of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX 77843, USAUK Management College, College House Campus, Stanley St., Openshaw, Manchester M11 1LE, UKEntomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) can infect and kill a diverse range of arthropods, including ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) that can transmit various diseases to animals and humans. Consequently, the use of EPFs as a biocontrol method for managing tick populations has been explored as an alternative to chemical acaricides, which may have harmful effects on the environment and non-target species. This review summarizes studies conducted on EPFs for tick control between 1998 and 2024, identifying 9 different EPF species that have been used against 15 different species of ticks. One of the most well-known and widely researched EPFs used against ticks is <i>Metarhizium anisopliae</i>, a fungus known for its ability to infect and kill various arthropods. When applied to tick-infested areas, <i>M. anisopliae</i> spores attach to the tick’s cuticle, germinate, and penetrate through the cuticle, leading to the eventual death of the tick due to the fungal infection. Whilst a number of studies support the potential of this and other EPF species against ticks, this review suggests that limitations to their effective use may include factors such as heat, humidity, and ultraviolet light (UV-A and UV-B). This comprehensive review aims to provide an overview of the literature on the potential of EPFs in tick control, focusing on their mode of action, previous field successes/failures, advantages, potential applications, and prospects for future practical developments.https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/12/1017<i>Beauveria bassiana</i>biological control<i>Entomopathogenic fungi</i><i>Metarhizium anisopliae</i>ticks |
| spellingShingle | Mahvish Rajput Muhammad Sohail Sajid Nasir Ahmed Rajput David Robert George Muhammad Usman Muhammad Zeeshan Owais Iqbal Bachal Bhutto Muhammad Atiq Hafiz Muhammad Rizwan Ian Kirimi Daniel Olivier Andre Sparagano Entomopathogenic Fungi as Alternatives to Chemical Acaricides: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects for Sustainable Tick Control Insects <i>Beauveria bassiana</i> biological control <i>Entomopathogenic fungi</i> <i>Metarhizium anisopliae</i> ticks |
| title | Entomopathogenic Fungi as Alternatives to Chemical Acaricides: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects for Sustainable Tick Control |
| title_full | Entomopathogenic Fungi as Alternatives to Chemical Acaricides: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects for Sustainable Tick Control |
| title_fullStr | Entomopathogenic Fungi as Alternatives to Chemical Acaricides: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects for Sustainable Tick Control |
| title_full_unstemmed | Entomopathogenic Fungi as Alternatives to Chemical Acaricides: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects for Sustainable Tick Control |
| title_short | Entomopathogenic Fungi as Alternatives to Chemical Acaricides: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects for Sustainable Tick Control |
| title_sort | entomopathogenic fungi as alternatives to chemical acaricides challenges opportunities and prospects for sustainable tick control |
| topic | <i>Beauveria bassiana</i> biological control <i>Entomopathogenic fungi</i> <i>Metarhizium anisopliae</i> ticks |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2075-4450/15/12/1017 |
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