Many of the chemicals used to control or kill disease-carrying mosquitoes can
In a new study, scientists found that the strainThe bacteria Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) produces several compounds that kill mosquito larvae but are harmless to most other organisms.
These compounds exist in crystalline form.inside bacteria, and when microbes are absorbed by the larva, the high pH and digestive enzymes in their intestines cause the crystals to dissolve and rearrange into molecules that perforate the membrane of the intestinal cells of the larva, quickly killing the insect.
The researchers also determined which causes the crystals to release and perforate the larval intestinal cells.
“These results pave the way for the rational development of insecticides that are safe and effective for controlling specific mosquito species or disease targets.”
Nicholas Sauter, lead author of the study
Earlier scientistsfound outthat malaria-carrying mosquitoes can “sense” toxins with their legs, which makes them resistant to insecticides.