Fungus showing promise as tick killer, say Acadia researchers

A groundbreaking study conducted at Acadia University has uncovered the potential of a common soil fungus, Clonostachys rosea, as a natural insecticide that is lethal to ticks but harmless to humans. The research, led by the Faraone Lab, focused on the effects of this fungus on blacklegged ticks, known carriers of Lyme disease, as well as dog ticks.

The discovery of the fungus’s effectiveness in killing blacklegged ticks is a significant development for Nova Scotia, which has the highest tick population in Canada. With Lyme disease posing a serious health threat and no vaccine available, finding a natural solution to control tick populations is crucial.

The lethality of the fungus was first noticed by Luís Anholeto, a research associate at the Faraone Lab, when ticks collected from Coldbrook, N.S., started dying unexpectedly. Further investigation revealed that the fungus was responsible for slowly disabling and killing the ticks, ultimately preventing them from finding a host and transmitting the bacteria that causes Lyme disease.

The research has shown that the fungus is more effective at killing blacklegged ticks compared to dog ticks, with a mortality rate of 70% for the former and 30% for the latter. The researchers are still studying the mechanism by which the fungus attacks and kills the ticks, with initial findings suggesting that it produces a substance that breaks down the tick’s outer shell and damages internal tissues.

Utilizing nanotechnology, the Faraone Lab is working on isolating the active ingredient in the fungus to create a sprayable powder for tick control. This product could potentially be used in backyard settings to manage tick populations. Similar fungi are already used in agriculture for crop protection and pest management, highlighting the potential of this natural solution for tick control.

With funding from the Canadian Lyme Disease Foundation, the Faraone Lab is continuing its research in collaboration with Acadia’s biology department. The team is focused on optimizing the concentration of spores to improve the mortality of dog ticks and make the product more effective for managing tick populations in Nova Scotia.

The research findings are currently being prepared for publication, with ongoing efforts to further the study and potentially bring this natural insecticide to market. The promising results of this study offer hope for a natural and effective solution to combat tick-borne diseases and protect public health.