Bioprospecting of Bacillus thuringiensis in the control of Aedes aegypti larvae

Abstract

Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) is the main vector of Dengue, Zika and Chikungunya, diseases that have attracted the attention of scientific society and the population in general, due to epidemiological outbreaks and numerous health hazards and the imminent risk of death. Much has been discussed about more efficient forms of control for this mosquito, considering that the chemical control, currently used, has been causing impacts on the environment and the health of the population. Thus, alternative methods have been evaluated. Among them, biological control through products formulated from Bacillus thuringiensis has stood out, as biotechnological advances have allowed to improve and enhance the products already on the market, as well as to develop new bioinsecticides from the entomopathogenic proteins produced by these microorganisms, aiming to make the larvae control more and more effective. To this end, this study aimed to carry out a bibliographic survey on the use of Bacillus thuringiensis as a form of biological control of Aedes aegypti larvae, due to the need to use safer and more effective methods of control for disease vector insects.