Isolation and characterization of a new iflavirus from Armigeres spp. mosquitoes in the Philippines

During an entomological surveillance for arthropod-borne viruses in the Philippines, we isolated a previously unrecognized virus from female Armigeres spp. mosquitoes. Whole-genome sequencing, genetic characterization and phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolated virus, designated Armigeres iflavirus (ArIFV), is a novel member of the iflaviruses (genus Iflavirus, family Iflaviridae) and phylogenetically related to Moku virus, Hubei odonate virus 4, slow bee paralysis virus and Graminella nigrifrons virus 1. To our knowledge, this is the first successful isolation of iflavirus from a dipteran insect. Spherical ArIFV particles of approximately 30 nm in diameter contained at least three major structural proteins. ArIFV multiplied to high titres (~10⁹ p.f.u. ml^-1) and formed clear plaques in a mosquito cell line, C6/36. Our findings provide new insights into the infection mechanism, genetic diversity and evolution of the Iflaviridae family.

Bioefficacy of the ethanolic crude extract of the wild leek, Allium ampeloprasum L. (Amaryllidaceae), against the third and fourth larval stages of Aedes aegypti L. (Culicidae)

Insecticide resistance is a threat to vector control worldwide. In the Philippines, dengue burden remains significant, thus prioritizing the need to develop eco-friendly control strategies and tools against mosquito vectors. Various Allium species have been found to possess larvicidal activity against dengue-carrying mosquitoes. In this study, the larvicidal activity of the crude extract of Allium ampeloprasum L. (Asparagales: Amaryllidaceae) was studied in concentrations ranging from 1 to 10,000 mg/L against the third (L3) and fourth (L4) larval instars of Aedes aegypti L. Larval mortality at 48 h were subjected to probit analysis and Kruskal-Wallis H test to estimate lethal concentrations and to determine significant means among the groups, respectively. Results show that the crude extract of A. ampeloprasum L. demonstrated larvicidal activity against the L3 and L4 Ae. aegypti L. Concentrations corresponding to 50% mortality (Lethal Concentration 50 [LC50]) among L3 and L4 larvae were estimated at 2,829.16 and 13,014.06 mg/L, respectively. Moreover, 90% mortality (LC90) in the L3 and L4 larvae were estimated at 9,749.75 and 57,836.58 mg/L, respectively. Only 1,000 and 10,000 mg/L for L3, and the 10,000 mg/L for L4, had comparable larvicidal action to the commercial larvicide used as a positive control. The results support the presence of bioactive compounds with larvicidal properties, thus suggesting A. ampeloprasum L. as a potential source of active ingredients for the development of a plant-based larvicide.