New Delhi: An international team of scientists have weaponised a naturally occurring fungus called Metarhizium with genetic engineering, to produce insect-specific neurotoxins. Male mosquitoes sprayed with the fungus spread it to female mosquitoes they mate with, that kill the females which spread diseases when feeding on blood. The fungal spores also boost the effectiveness of conventional pesticides. Malaria kills about 600,000 people every year, with mosquitoes developing resistance to chemical treatments. The parasites borne by mosquitoes have also evolved to become more resistant to antimalarial drugs. A........

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