Pathogenic action of Penicillium species on mosquito vectors of human tropical diseases

In vitro bioassays were performed in order to assess the pathogenicity of 1 3 Penicillium strains in 2nd stage larvae of Aedes aegypti, Aedes fluviatil is, Anopheles aquasalis and Culex quinquefasciatus. Mortality rates began i n the first 24 hours, ranging from 0 to 100%. P. corylophilum, P. fellutanu m, P. implicatum, P. janthinellum, P. viridicatum and P. waksmanii species tested on Aedes aegypti larvae and at different concentrations presented mo rtality rates from 0 to 6.6%. These species, when tested on Aedes fluviatil is, Anopheles aquasalis and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae, presented a mort ality rate of 3.33% to 100%. Susceptibility of Aedes fluviatilis, Aedes aeg ypti, Anopheles aquasalis and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes to the test ed agents, turn P. corylophilum and P. janthinellum into candidates for pot ential use in biological control of vectors.