Smart bio-larvicides leveraging symbiotic fungi for mosquito control
Innovative bio-larvicides using symbiotic fungi to attract mosquitoes and enhance control strategies, reducing chemical use and improving environmental safety.
Overview
This innovative solution leverages symbiotic fungi (SFs) found in mosquito larvae habitats to develop smart bio-larvicides. These SFs produce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that attract mosquitoes, providing a natural and environmentally friendly mosquito control method. By exploiting SFs' ability to communicate with mosquitoes, these bio-larvicides offer a 'Lure & Kill' effect, drawing mosquitoes to treated areas and improving the efficiency of disinfestation agents without relying on harmful chemicals.
Technical specifications
- Symbiotic Fungi: Utilizes SFs that produce VOCs to attract mosquitoes.
- Yeast Blends: Freeze-dried yeast blends are designed for use in mosquito traps or combined with bio-larvicides in outdoor environments.
- Applications: Suitable for indoor traps and outdoor water bodies like garden fountains.
- Environmental Safety: Reduces need for aerial spraying of insecticides and minimizes chemical dispersion.
- Development: Involves metagenomic analysis and VOC profiling to identify effective blends of SFs.
Technology readiness level
This technology is currently at TRL 4, with lab tests planned for further validation of attractiveness and larvicidal effects. The most effective SF blends will be tested against traditional attractants and validated at the University of Camerino's insectary.
About University of Camerino
The University of Camerino is a public, multi‑campus research university in central Italy, combining a close‑knit scale with global engagement. Industry collaboration is coordinated by a technology‑transfer and project‑management office that maps expertise, supports proposals and IP, and accelerates spin‑offs. Co‑located assets include a university veterinary teaching hospital in Matelica and earthquake‑resilient research spaces for clinical services, prototyping and testing. Research draws on competitive European and Italian funding, with staff monitoring calls and managing projects; commercialization covers IP, licensing and startups, supported by an annual business‑plan competition.
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