Isolation of Leptolegnia chapmanii, an entomopathogenic oomycete, from Misiones, Argentina: a promising tool for vector mosquito control

This article delves into the isolation of Leptolegnia chapmanii, an entomopathogenic oomycete, from various water bodies in Misiones, Argentina. The study employs Aedes aegypti larvae as bait to selectively recover host-specific pathogens, addressing challenges such as rapid larval decomposition and predation. Through a combined morphological and molecular approach, the researchers identify and characterize the isolated strains, highlighting the effectiveness of ITS and COI markers for species delimitation. Pathogenicity assays demonstrate the high virulence of L. chapmanii strains, inducing nearly 100% mortality in A. aegypti larvae within 24 hours under controlled conditions. The article also discusses the potential of these strains for biological control, their geographic and ecological distribution, and the challenges that need to be addressed before operational implementation. Additionally, it explores the identification of other entomopathogenic oomycetes, such as Leptolegnia caudata and Geolegnia helicoides, and their potential roles in mosquito control. The study concludes by emphasizing the importance of further research and field evaluations to confirm the efficacy and safety of L. chapmanii for sustainable mosquito management.