Game Changer: A Mechanical Insecticide for Mosquitoes, Sand Flies, Filth Flies and Other Arthropods from Volcanic Rock

Mosquitoes, filth flies, sand flies and other arthropods transmit to the deployed warfighter microbial pathogens that cause illness and death. One of the most important approaches to prevent disease is the control of the pest arthropods. The most common method has been the development and use of chemical pesticides. Because of natural selection, the use of pesticides result in pest populations that become resistant. As a result, new control methods must be in constant development. Furthermore, non-chemical natural approaches are often more acceptable to users. We discovered the use of a non-chemical method for the control of mosquitoes, flies, and ticks using mechanical insecticides, i.e., specific biominerals made by diatoms and a bio-mimic made from volcanic glass. In this proposal, we showed proof of concept for the use of this technology as a topical killing agent against the target pests under study, conducted research to support the registration of these new products, and submitted registration packages to the US EPA and WHO (some granted, others pending). The products are being commercialized under the names Celite 610 and Imergard, respectively. The research effort unexpectedly resulted in other discoveries including a new insect and tick repellent (EPA registered April 2023), human diseases unknowingly being transmitted by flies and mosquitoes, and the discovery of a new human disease in the US.