Engineered Fungi Lure and Eliminate Mosquitoes with Novel Scent Compound
Researchers have engineered Metarhizium fungi to produce a mosquito-attracting compound called longifolene. The modified fungi effectively lure and kill mosquitoes, potentially offering a new biological control method against disease vectors.
Breakthrough in Biological Mosquito Control
Scientists have developed a novel approach to mosquito control using engineered fungi that produce an attractive scent compound to lure and eliminate disease-carrying insects, according to research published in Nature Microbiology. The modified Metarhizium fungi reportedly produce longifolene, a compound that mosquitoes find irresistible, leading them to their demise.