Brazilian scientists have developed a simple, low-cost tool that can make all the difference in controlling mosquitoes and Aedes aegypti, the mosquito that transmits dengue, zika, chikungunya and urban yellow fever.
Named MataAedes, the product developed by researchers at the Universidade Estadual do Norte Fluminense is not harmful to the environment, as explained by Adriano Rodrigues de Paula, one of the authors of the research. “It is non-toxic to the environment and animals. The trap is easy to use. Once opened, it can be placed on top of a piece of furniture and it will kill adult mosquitoes. The trap works for 30 days, day and night, killing mosquitoes. And then it needs to be changed, but it is disposable and 100% biodegradable and therefore presents promising advantages compared to products on the market today.
Developed based on a fungus, the mechanism attracts and kills mosquitoes within 48 hours, according to the researcher. “The fungus is a natural enemy of insects, commonly found in forests. Our startup isolated this fungus, cultivated it in the laboratory, and made a formulation to be used in our traps, to control adult mosquitoes. The trap simulates a perfect environment for the mosquito to hide and rest. But they end up dying because of contamination from the fungus inside the trap.”
Adriano explains that there were more than 10 years of testing, analysis, monitoring and biological control.
“And the results are encouraging. Homes that receive fungus traps have a reduction of approximately 80% in the mosquito population, compared to homes that do not receive fungus traps. It is another tool for controlling Aedes aegypti and mosquito mosquitoes, and should be used with other strategies to control this vector, such as eliminating breeding sites and placing screens on windows. The reduction in the mosquito population will consequently reduce the rates of dengue, zika and chikungunya.”
The study received financial support from the Carlos Chagas Filho Research Support Foundation of the State of Rio de Janeiro (Faperj).
The trap was applied to more than 200 homes, commercial establishments and public spaces in Campos dos Goytacazes and Barra de São João, in the northwest of Rio de Janeiro.
Information Agency Brazil
