Efficacy of the mermithid nematode, Romanomermis iyengari, for the biocontrol of Anopheles gambiae, the major malaria vector in sub-Saharan Africa.

Background: The intensive use of chemical insecticides against mosquitoes has led to the development of widespread insecticide resistance. Control of Anopheles mosquitoes in malaria endemic areas of sub-Saharan Africa has become increasingly difficult. There is an urgent need for malaria control programmes to adopt more integrated mosquito management approaches that include sustainable, nonchemical solutions.

Large-scale production of the malaria vector biocontrol agent (Nematoda: Mermithidae) in Benin, West Africa.

Background: The mermithid nematode is one of several natural control alternatives to synthetic pesticides for mosquito suppression. The commonly used mass rearing procedure of involves the use of coarse sand as a substrate for nematode maturation and oviposition. The coarse sand technique gives excellent nematode productivity in North America.

Potential of the bush mint, Hyptis suaveolens essential oil for personal protection against mosquito biting.

We studied the potential of the essential oil extract from the bush mint, Hyptis suaveolens, for use against mosquito biting under both laboratory and field conditions. In the laboratory, the repellency of various concentrations (1-6%) of the essential oil was assessed against Anopheles gambiae, based on a 15-min landing and biting on treated forearms of volunteers. In the laboratory, the percentage of mosquitoes landing on the forearm was 42, 33, 23, 23, 9, and 2 for 1%, 2%, 3%, 4%, 5%, and 6% essential oil concentration, respectively; and 92 and 91 for the solvent (isopropanol) and untreated control, respectively.