Biological mosquiticidal agents: potential and effects on non-target organisms

Abstract

Mosquitoes are among the most dangerous animals, spreading pathogens that cause millions human deaths annually. Massive mosquito control relies on chemical methods due to their high lethality. The continuous use of synthetic insecticides has led to various problems, including mosquito resistance. There is renewed interest in bioinsecticides and natural product-based agents particularly plant derivatives. These products are crucial for integrated mosquito management, offering a promising solution to mitigate the environmental impact of synthetic analogs. Recent investments focus on enhancing their effectiveness and persistence while maintaining non-toxic characteristics for non-target organisms and the environment. This work explores the current understanding of the effects of commonly tested mosquiticidal products derived from living organisms, examines their potential non-target impacts, and discusses future directions for developing sustainable control.