Ephantus J. Muturi
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View article: Insecticide resistance profiles of Anopheles arabiensis and relationship with Microsporidia MB infection in two rice agroecosystems in Kenya
Insecticide resistance profiles of Anopheles arabiensis and relationship with Microsporidia MB infection in two rice agroecosystems in Kenya Open
Background Insecticide resistance has emerged as a serious threat to malaria control in sub-Saharan Africa. Knowing the insecticide susceptibility status of vector populations is crucial for designing evidence-based insecticide resistance …
View article: Characterization of toxin systems of Paenibacillus strains isolated from honeybees
Characterization of toxin systems of Paenibacillus strains isolated from honeybees Open
View article: Larvicidal and Immunomodulatory Effects of Conidia and Blastospores of Beauveria bassiana and Beauveria brongniartii in Aedes aegypti
Larvicidal and Immunomodulatory Effects of Conidia and Blastospores of Beauveria bassiana and Beauveria brongniartii in Aedes aegypti Open
The increasing global burden of mosquito-borne diseases and the widespread development of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes have fueled renewed interest in entomopathogenic fungi as effective tools that are compatible with existing mosq…
View article: Cover crop species influences soil fungal species richness and community structure
Cover crop species influences soil fungal species richness and community structure Open
Despite the well documented link between cover cropping and soil microbiology, the influence of specific cover crop species on soil microbes remains poorly understood. We evaluated how soil fungal communities in a no till system respond to…
View article: Causes and consequences of microbiome formation in mosquito larvae
Causes and consequences of microbiome formation in mosquito larvae Open
The assembly of host‐associated microbial communities is influenced by multiple factors, but the effect of microbiomes on host phenotypes is often not well understood. To address questions of food‐web effects on host microbiome assembly, w…
View article: <i>Culex pipiens</i> and <i>Culex restuans</i> larval interactions shape the bacterial communities in container aquatic habitats
<i>Culex pipiens</i> and <i>Culex restuans</i> larval interactions shape the bacterial communities in container aquatic habitats Open
Container aquatic habitats host a community of aquatic insects, primarily mosquito larvae that browse on container surface microbial biofilm and filter-feed on microorganisms in the water column. We examined how the bacterial communities i…
View article: Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Insecticide-Resistant Aedes aegypti from Puerto Rico Reveals Insecticide-Specific Patterns of Gene Expression
Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Insecticide-Resistant Aedes aegypti from Puerto Rico Reveals Insecticide-Specific Patterns of Gene Expression Open
Aedes aegypti transmits major arboviruses of public health importance, including dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever. The use of insecticides represents the cornerstone of vector control; however, insecticide resistance in Ae. aegy…
View article: <i>Heterocypris incongruens</i> maintains an egg bank in stormwater habitats and influences the development of larval mosquito, <i>Culex restuans</i>
<i>Heterocypris incongruens</i> maintains an egg bank in stormwater habitats and influences the development of larval mosquito, <i>Culex restuans</i> Open
Dormant propagules can provide a rapid colonization source for temporary aquatic habitats and set the trajectory for community dynamics, yet the egg banks of stormwater management systems have received little attention. We asked which spec…
View article: Increased Phenoloxidase Activity Constitutes the Main Defense Strategy of Trichoplusia ni Larvae against Fungal Entomopathogenic Infections
Increased Phenoloxidase Activity Constitutes the Main Defense Strategy of Trichoplusia ni Larvae against Fungal Entomopathogenic Infections Open
The cabbage looper Trichoplusia ni is an important agricultural pest worldwide and is frequently used as a model organism for assessing entomopathogenic fungi virulence, though few studies have measured the host response repertoire to fung…
View article: Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Insecticide Resistant Aedes aegypti from Puerto Rico Reveals Insecticide-Specific Patterns of Gene Expression
Comparative Transcriptomic Analysis of Insecticide Resistant Aedes aegypti from Puerto Rico Reveals Insecticide-Specific Patterns of Gene Expression Open
Aedes aegypti transmits major arboviruses of public health importance, including dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever. The use of insecticides represents the cornerstone of vector control, however insecticide resistance in Ae. aegyp…
View article: Bioactivity of brassica seed meals and its compounds as ecofriendly larvicides against mosquitoes
Bioactivity of brassica seed meals and its compounds as ecofriendly larvicides against mosquitoes Open
Strategic, sustainable, and ecofriendly alternatives to chemical pesticides are needed to effectively control mosquitoes and reduce the incidence of their vectored diseases. We evaluated several Brassicaceae (mustard family) seed meals as …
View article: Multiple mosquito AMPs are needed to potentiate their antifungal effect against entomopathogenic fungi
Multiple mosquito AMPs are needed to potentiate their antifungal effect against entomopathogenic fungi Open
Mosquito resistance to microbial infections, including fungal entomopathogens that are selected for mosquito control, depend on a range of antimicrobial effectors, among them antimicrobial peptides (AMPs). These short peptides, along the a…
View article: Repellency and toxicity of a CO2-derived cedarwood oil on hard tick species (Ixodidae)
Repellency and toxicity of a CO2-derived cedarwood oil on hard tick species (Ixodidae) Open
The repellency and toxicity of a CO 2 -derived cedarwood oil (CWO) was evaluated against actively questing unfed nymphs of four species of hard ticks: Amblyomma americanum (L.), Dermacentor variabilis (Say), Ixodes scapularis Say, and Rhip…
View article: Resistance to permethrin alters the gut microbiota of Aedes aegypti
Resistance to permethrin alters the gut microbiota of Aedes aegypti Open
View article: Insecticide resistance status in Anopheles gambiae (s.l.) in coastal Kenya
Insecticide resistance status in Anopheles gambiae (s.l.) in coastal Kenya Open
View article: The larval environment strongly influences the bacterial communities of Aedes triseriatus and Aedes japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae)
The larval environment strongly influences the bacterial communities of Aedes triseriatus and Aedes japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae) Open
View article: Blood meal source and mixed blood-feeding influence gut bacterial community composition in Aedes aegypti
Blood meal source and mixed blood-feeding influence gut bacterial community composition in Aedes aegypti Open
View article: Effect of life stage and pesticide exposure on the gut microbiota of Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens L
Effect of life stage and pesticide exposure on the gut microbiota of Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens L Open
View article: Microbial communities of container aquatic habitats shift in response to Culex restuans larvae
Microbial communities of container aquatic habitats shift in response to Culex restuans larvae Open
We examined how larvae of Culex restuans mosquito influences the bacterial abundance, composition and diversity in simulated container aquatic habitats. The microbiota of Cx. restuans larvae were also characterized and compared to those of…
View article: Insecticidal Activity of<i>Commiphora erythraea</i>Essential Oil and Its Emulsions Against Larvae of Three Mosquito Species
Insecticidal Activity of<i>Commiphora erythraea</i>Essential Oil and Its Emulsions Against Larvae of Three Mosquito Species Open
The use of essential oils as ecofriendly tools for vector management is one of the mainstreams for biopesticide research. We evaluated the larvicidal properties of Commiphora erythraea (opoponax) essential oil and its fractions against Cul…
View article: Leptospermum scoparium essential oil is a promising source of mosquito larvicide and its toxicity is enhanced by a biobased emulsifier
Leptospermum scoparium essential oil is a promising source of mosquito larvicide and its toxicity is enhanced by a biobased emulsifier Open
Synthetic pesticides are the cornerstone of vector-borne disease control, but alternatives are urgently needed to tackle the growing problem of insecticide resistance and concerns over environmental safety. Leptospermum scoparium J.R. Fors…
View article: Peptidoglycan Recognition Proteins (PGRPs) Modulates Mosquito Resistance to Fungal Entomopathogens in a Fungal-Strain Specific Manner
Peptidoglycan Recognition Proteins (PGRPs) Modulates Mosquito Resistance to Fungal Entomopathogens in a Fungal-Strain Specific Manner Open
Fungal entomopathogens are potential tools for the control of mosquito vectors that transmit infectious agents that cause disease in humans and animals. During the infection process, effective recognition of the invading fungi by the mosqu…
View article: Amylose Inclusion Complexes as Emulsifiers for Garlic and Asafoetida Essential Oils for Mosquito Control
Amylose Inclusion Complexes as Emulsifiers for Garlic and Asafoetida Essential Oils for Mosquito Control Open
Although the insecticidal properties of some plant essential oils are well-documented, their use in integrated pest and vector management is complicated by their high volatility, low thermal stability, high sensitivity to oxidation, and lo…
View article: Host species and site of collection shape the microbiota of Rift Valley fever vectors in Kenya
Host species and site of collection shape the microbiota of Rift Valley fever vectors in Kenya Open
The composition and structure of microbial communities associated with mosquitoes remain poorly understood despite their important role in host biology and potential to be harnessed as novel strategies for mosquito-borne disease control. W…
View article: Predicting the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on malaria in coastal Kenya
Predicting the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on malaria in coastal Kenya Open
Vegetation acclimation triggered by elevated [CO2] under climate change increases the risk of malaria. In addition, air temperature increase under climate change has opposing effects on mosquito larval habitats and the life cycles of both …
View article: Green, Yellow, and Red Fluorescent Proteins as Markers for Bacterial Isolates from Mosquito Midguts
Green, Yellow, and Red Fluorescent Proteins as Markers for Bacterial Isolates from Mosquito Midguts Open
The growing awareness that microbial symbionts residing in mosquito midguts can interrupt transmission of vector-borne diseases has stimulated interest in understanding their potential role in mosquito biology. Fluorescent proteins are pow…
View article: Honeysuckle essential oil as a potential source of ecofriendly larvicides for mosquito control
Honeysuckle essential oil as a potential source of ecofriendly larvicides for mosquito control Open
BACKGROUND Some plant essential oils have insecticidal properties against mosquitoes and can be harnessed as ecofriendly tools for mosquito control. We conducted bioassays to determine the toxicity of Italian honeysuckle ( Lonicera caprifo…
Bioactivity of Wild Carrot (Daucus carota, Apiaceae) Essential Oil Against Mosquito Larvae Open
View article: Discovery and exploitation of a natural ecological trap for a mosquito disease vector
Discovery and exploitation of a natural ecological trap for a mosquito disease vector Open
Ecological traps occur due to a mismatch between a habitat's attractiveness and quality, wherein organisms show preference for low-quality habitats over other available high-quality habitats. Our previous research identified leaf litter fr…
View article: Host blood meal source has a strong impact on gut microbiota of Aedes aegypti
Host blood meal source has a strong impact on gut microbiota of Aedes aegypti Open
Gut microbial communities of mosquitoes can influence vector susceptibility to pathogens, yet the factors that govern their composition remain poorly understood. We investigated the impact of host blood-meal source on gut microbiota of Aed…