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                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Crop Bioprotection Research: Peoria, IL
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ARS Home Midwest Area Peoria, Illinois National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research Crop Bioprotection Research People & Locations







Ephantus  Muturi

                                                                (PhD)
                        Crop Bioprotection Research

                        




                        
                        Research Leader
                        Phone: (309) 681-6595
                        
                        
                        Fax: (Employee information on this page comes from the REE Directory. Please contact your front office staff to update the REE Directory.)
                            ProjectsEnvironmentally-Friendly, Microbial and Plant-Based Agents for Mosquito Control
                                                    In-House Appropriated
                                                                    (D)Accession Number: 438858Discovery and Production of Beneficial Microbes for Control of Agricultural Pests through Integration into Sustainable Agricultural Production Systems
                                                    In-House Appropriated
                                                                    (D)Accession Number: 439067Develop an Improved Understanding of Microbe-pathogen Interactions for Biological Control
                                                    In-House Appropriated
                                                                    (D)Accession Number: 441614**Publications**
                                                (Clicking on the reprint icon
                                                    Reprint Icon
                                                    will take you to the publication reprint.)Culex pipiens and Culex restuans larval interactions shape the bacterial communities in container aquatic habitats
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Njoroge, T.M., Berenbaum, M.R., Stone, C.A., Kim, C., Dunlap, C.A., Muturi, E.J. 2024. Culex pipiens and Culex restuans larval interactions shape the bacterial communities in container aquatic habitats. FEMS Microbes. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsmc/xtae002.Non-target effects of essential oils on selected beneficial bacteria
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Muturi, E.J., Doll, K.M., Dunlap, C.A. 2023. Non-target effects of essential oils on selected beneficial bacteria. Journal of Plant Diseases and Protection. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41348-023-00825-6.Isothiocyanates: promising larvicides for mosquitoes

- (Abstract Only)Heterocypris incongruens maintains an egg bank in stormwater habitats and influences the development of larval mosquito, Culex restuans
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Trujilo, J., Schwing, C., Muturi, E.J., Caceres, C.E. 2023. Heterocypris incongruens maintains an egg bank in stormwater habitats and influences the development of larval mosquito, Culex restuans. Ecology and Evolution. 13(8) Article e10354. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.10354.Increased phenoloxidase activity constitutes the main defense strategy of Trichoplusia ni larvae against fungal entomopathogenic infections
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Duffield, K.R., Rosales, A., Muturi, E.J., Behle, R.W., Ramirez, J.L. 2023. Increased phenoloxidase activity constitutes the main defense strategy of Trichoplusia ni larvae against fungal entomopathogenic infections. Insects. 14(8), article 667. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects14080667.Prospects for biocontrol of tar spot of corn: candidate biocontrol organisms isolated from tar spot stromata

- (Abstract Only)Ramirez, J.L., Dowd, P.F., Johnson, E.T., Behle, R.W., Muturi, E.J. 2023. Prospects for biocontrol of tar spot of corn: candidate biocontrol organisms isolated from tar spot stromata. Meeting Abstract. [abstract].Bioactivity of brassica seed meals and its compounds as ecofriendly larvicides against mosquitoes
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Flor-Weiler, L., Behle, R.W., Berhow, M.A., McCormick, S.P., Vaughn, S.F., Muturi, E.J., Hay, W.T. 2023. Bioactivity of brassica seed meals and its compounds as ecofriendly larvicides against mosquitoes. Scientific Reports. 13. Article 3936. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-30563-6.Multiple mosquito AMPs are needed to potentiate their antifungal effect against entomopathogenic fungi
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Ramirez, J.L., Hampton, K.J., Rosales, A.M., Muturi, E.J. 2023. Multiple mosquito AMPs are needed to potentiate their antifungal effect against entomopathogenic fungi. Frontiers in Microbiology. 13. Article 1062383. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2022.1062383.Repellency and toxicity of a CO2-derived cedarwood oil on hard tick species (Ixodidae)
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Flor-Weiler, L.B., Behle, R.W., Eller, F.J., Muturi, E.J., Rooney, A.P. 2022. Repellency and toxicity of a CO2-derived cedarwood oil on hard tick species (Ixodidae). Experimental and Applied Acarology. 86:299-312. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10493-022-00692-0.The effectiveness of a CO2-derived cedarwood oil as alternative control for hard ticks

- (Abstract Only)Influence of vegetation and vegetation management on Culex mosquitoes in surface stormwater habitats
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Mackay, A.J., Muturi, E.J., Moen, E.M., Holland, M., Allan, B.F. 2021. Influence of vegetation and vegetation management on Culex mosquitoes in surface stormwater habitats. Wetlands Ecology and Management. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11273-021-09829-1.Resistance to permethrin alters the gut microbiota of Aedes aegypti
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Muturi, E.J., Dunlap, C.A., Smartt, C.T., Shin, D. 2021. Resistance to permethrin alters the gut microbiota of Aedes aegypti. Scientific Reports. 11. Article 14406. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-93725-4.Insecticide resistance status in Anopheles gambiae (s.l.) in coastal Kenya
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Munywoki, D.N., Kokwaro, E.D., Mwangangi, J.M., Muturi, E.J., Mbogo, C.M. 2021. Insecticide resistance status in Anopheles gambiae (s.l.) in coastal Kenya. Parasites & Vectors. 14. Article 207. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-04706-5.The larval environment strongly influences the bacterial communities of Aedes triseriatus and Aedes japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae)
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Juma, E.O., Allan, B.F., Kim, C., Stone, C., Dunlap, C.A., Muturi, E.J. 2021. The larval environment strongly influences the bacterial communities of Aedes triseriatus and Aedes japonicus (Diptera: Culicidae). Scientific Reports. 11. Article 7910. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-87017-0.Next generation sequencing approach for simultaneous identification of mosquitoes and their blood-meal hosts
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Muturi, E.J., Dunlap, C.A., Tchouassi, D.T., Swanson, J. 2021. Next generation sequencing approach for simultaneous identification of mosquitoes and their blood-meal hosts. Journal of Vector Ecology. 46(1):116-121. https://doi.org/10.52707/1081-1710-46.1.116.Blood meal source and mixed blood-feeding influence gut bacterial community composition in Aedes aegypti
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Muturi, E.J., Njoroge, T.M., Dunlap, C.A., Caceres, C.E. 2021. Blood meal source and mixed blood-feeding influence gut bacterial community composition in Aedes aegypti. Parasites & Vectors. 14. Article 83 https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-021-04579-8.Microbial communities of container aquatic habitats shift in response to Culex restuans larvae
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Muturi, E.J., Dunlap, C.A., Caceres, C.E. 2020. Microbial communities of container aquatic habitats shift in response to Culex restuans larvae. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. 96(7). Article fiaa112. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiaa112.Effect of life stage and pesticide exposure on the gut microbiota of Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens L
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Juma, E.0., Allan, B.F., Kim, C., Stone, C., Dunlap, C.A., Muturi, E.J. 2020. Effect of life stage and pesticide exposure on the gut microbiota of Aedes albopictus and Culex pipiens L. Scientific Reports. 10. Article 9489. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-020-66452-5.Insecticidal activity of Commiphora erythraea essential oil and its emulsions against larvae of three mosquito species
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Muturi, E.J., Hay, W.T., Doll, K.M., Ramirez, J.L., Selling, G.W. 2020. Insecticidal activity of Commiphora erythraea essential oil and its emulsions against larvae of three mosquito species. Journal of Medical Entomology. 57(6):1835-1842. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjaa097.Leptospermum scoparium essential oil is a promising source of mosquito larvicide and its toxicity is enhanced by a biobased emulsifier
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Muturi, E.J., Selling, G.W., Doll, K.M., Hay, W.T., Ramirez, J.L. 2020. Leptospermum scoparium essential oil is a promising source of mosquito larvicide and its toxicity is enhanced by a biobased emulsifier. PLoS One. 15(2):e0229076. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0229076.Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) modulates mosquito resistance to fungal entomopathogens in a fungal-strain specific manner
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Ramirez, J.L., Muturi, E.J., Flor-Weiler, L.B., Vermillion, K., Rooney, A.P. 2020. Peptidoglycan recognition proteins (PGRPs) modulates mosquito resistance to fungal entomopathogens in a fungal-strain specific manner. Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology. 9:465. https://doi.org/10.3389/fcimb.2019.00465.Amylose inclusion complexes as emulsifiers for garlic and asafoetida essential oils for mosquito control
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Muturi, E.J., Hay, W.T., Behle, R.W., Selling, G.W. 2019. Amylose inclusion complexes as emulsifiers for garlic and asafoetida essential oils for mosquito control. Insects. 10(10):337. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10100337.Fungal infection recognition in the Aedes aegypti mosquito

- (Abstract Only)Host species and site of collection shape the microbiota of Rift Valley fever vectors in Kenya
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Tchouassi, D.P., Muturi, E.J., Arum, S.O., Kim, C., Fields, C., Torto, B. 2019. Host species and site of collection shape the microbiota of Rift Valley fever vectors in Kenya. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 13(6):e0007361. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0007361.Validation  of candidate maize insect and fungal resistance genes  through functional analysis

- (Abstract Only)Dowd, P.F., Naumann, T.A., Johnson, E.T., Berhow, M.A., Zilkowski, B.W., Muturi, E.J. 2019. Validation  of candidate maize insect and fungal resistance genes  through functional analysis. Meeting Abstract.Green, yellow and red fluorescent proteins as markers for bacterial isolates from mosquito midguts
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Muturi, E.J., Ramirez, J.L., Kim, C. 2019. Green, yellow and red fluorescent proteins as markers for bacterial isolates from mosquito midguts. Insects. 10:49. https://doi.org/10.3390/insects10020049.Predicting the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on malaria in coastal Kenya
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Le, P.V., Kumar, P., Ruiz, M.O., Mbogo, C., Muturi, E.J. 2019. Predicting the direct and indirect impacts of climate change on malaria in coastal Kenya. PLOS One. 14:e0211258. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0211258.Honeysuckle essential oil as a potential source of ecofriendly larvicides for mosquito control
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Muturi, E.J., Doll, K.M., Berhow, M.A., Weiler, L., Rooney, A.P. 2019. Honeysuckle essential oil as a potential source of ecofriendly larvicides for mosquito control. Pest Management Science. 75(7):2043-2048. https://doi.org/10.1002/ps.5327.The Aedes aegypti IMD pathway is a critical component of the mosquito antifungal immune response
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Ramirez, J.L., Muturi, E.J., Barletta-Ferreira, A.B., Rooney, A.P. 2018. The Aedes aegypti IMD pathway is a critical component of the mosquito antifungal immune response. Developmental and Comparative Immunology. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.dci.2018.12.010.Bioactivity of wild carrot (Daucus carota, Apiaceae) essential oil against mosquito larvae
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Muturi, E.J., Doll, K.M., Ramirez, J.L., Rooney, A.P. 2018. Bioactivity of wild carrot (Daucus carota, Apiaceae) essential oil against mosquito larvae. Journal of Medical Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjy226.Container size alters the outcome of interspecific competition between Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)and Aedes albopictus
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Parker, A.T., Gardner, A.M., Perez, M., Allan, B.F., Muturi, E.J. 2018. Container size alters the outcome of interspecific competition between Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae)and Aedes albopictus. Journal of Medical Entomology. https://doi.org/10.1093/jme/tjy215.Mosquito anti-fungal repertoire limiting pathogenicity of entomopathogenic fungi

- (Abstract Only)Discovery and exploitation of a natural ecological trap for a mosquito disease vector
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Gardner, A.M., Muturi, E.J., Allan, B.F. 2018. Discovery and exploitation of a natural ecological trap for a mosquito disease vector. Proceedings of the Royal Society B. http://dx.doi.org/10.1098/rspb.2018.1962.Host blood meal source has a strong impact on gut microbiota of Aedes aegypti
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Muturi, E.J., Dunlap, C.A., Ramirez, J.L., Rooney, A.P., Kim, C. 2018. Host blood meal source has a strong impact on gut microbiota of Aedes aegypti. FEMS Microbiology Ecology. 95. https://doi.org/10.1093/femsec/fiy213.Copula modeling of differential effect of leaf species on Aedes albopictus development time
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Kim, C., Muturi, E.J., Lee, S. 2018. Copula modeling of differential effect of leaf species on Aedes albopictus development time. Environment and Natural Resources Research. 8(4). https://doi.org/10.5539/enrr.v8n4p1.Mosquito microbiota cluster by host sampling location
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Muturi, E.J., Lagos-Kutz, D.M., Dunlap, C.A., Ramirez, J.L., Rooney, A.P., Hartman, G.L., Fields, C., Rendon, G., Kim, C. 2018. Mosquito microbiota cluster by host sampling location. Parasites & Vectors. 11:468. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-3036-9.Strain-specific pathogenicity and subversion of phenoloxidase activity in the mosquito Aedes aegypti by members of the fungal entomopathogenic genus Isaria
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Ramirez, J.L., Muturi, E.J., Dunlap, C.A., Rooney, A.P. 2018. Strain-specific pathogenicity and subversion of phenoloxidase activity in the mosquito Aedes aegypti by members of the fungal entomopathogenic genus Isaria. Scientific Reports. doi:10.1038/s41598-018-28210-6.Entomopathogenic fungal infection leads to temporospatial modulation of the mosquito immune system
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Ramirez, J.L., Dunlap, C.A., Muturi, E.J., Barletta-Ferreira, A.B., Rooney, A.P. 2018. Entomopathogenic fungal infection leads to temporospatial modulation of the mosquito immune system. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. 12:e0006433. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pntd.0006433.Environmental and social-demographic predictors of the southern house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus in New Orleans, Louisiana
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Moise, I.K., Riegel, C., Muturi, E.J. 2018. Environmental and social-demographic predictors of the southern house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus in New Orleans, Louisiana. Parasites & Vectors. 11:249. doi.org/10.1186/s13071-018-2833-5.Ovicidal and larvicidal effects of garlic and asafoetida essential oils against West Nile virus vectors
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Muturi, E.J., Ramirez, J.L., Zilkowski, B.W., Weiler, L., Rooney, A.P. 2018. Ovicidal and larvicidal effects of garlic and asafoetida essential oils against West Nile virus vectors. Journal of Insect Science. 18(2):43. doi: 10.1093/jisesa/iey036.Transgenic expression of a maize geranyl geranyl transferase gene sequence in maize callus increases resistance to ear rot pathogens
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Dowd, P.F., Zilkowski, B.W., Johnson, E.T., Berhow, M.A., Muturi, E.J. 2018. Transgenic expression of a maize geranyl geranyl transferase gene sequence in maize callus increases resistance to ear rot pathogens. AGRI GENE. 7:52-58. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.aggene.2018.01.001.Impact of Tolypocladium cylindrosporum (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) on eggs of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus at low temperature

- (Abstract Only)Weiler, L., Rooney, A.P., Behle, R.W., Muturi, E.J. 2018. Impact of Tolypocladium cylindrosporum (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitaceae) on eggs of Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus at low temperature. Meeting Abstract.Comparative analysis of gut microbiota of Culex restuans (Diptera: Culicidae) females from different parents
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Muturi, E.J., Ramirez, J.L., Rooney, A.P., Kim, C. 2017. Comparative analysis of gut microbiota of Culex restuans (Diptera: Culicidae) females from different parents. Journal of Medical Entomology. 10:163-171. doi: 10.1093/jme/tjx199.Combined toxicity of three essential oils against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Muturi, E.J., Ramirez, J.L., Doll, K.M., Bowman, M.J. 2017. Combined toxicity of three essential oils against Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) larvae. Journal of Medical Entomology. 54:1684-1691. doi: 10.1093/jme/tjx168.Large-scale removal of invasive honeysuckle decreases mosquito and avian host abundance
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Gardner, A.M., Muturi, E.J., Overmier, L.D., Allan, B.F. 2017. Large-scale removal of invasive honeysuckle decreases mosquito and avian host abundance. EcoHealth. 14:750:761. doi: 10.1007/s10393-017-1265-6.Assessing human risk of illness with West Nile virus mosquito surveillance data to improve public health preparedness
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Karki, S., Westcott, N.E., Muturi, E.J., Brown, W.M., Ruiz, M.O. 2017. Assessing human risk of illness with West Nile virus mosquito surveillance data to improve public health preparedness. Zoonoses and Public Health. 65:177-184. doi: 10.1111/zph.12386.Characterization of Tolypocladium cylindrosporum (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitacea) and its impact against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus eggs at low temperature
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Weiler, L., Rooney, A.P., Behle, R.W., Muturi, E.J. 2017. Characterization of Tolypocladium cylindrosporum (Hypocreales: Ophiocordycipitacea) and its impact against Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus eggs at low temperature. Journal of the American Mosquito Control Association. 33(3):184-192.Plant-based strategies for mosquito control

- (Abstract Only)Muturi, E.J., Gadner, A., Allan, B.F. 2017. Plant-based strategies for mosquito control. Meeting Abstract.The interplay between mosquitoes, entomopathogens and symbiotic microbes: A niche for the development of novel microbial-derived vector control strategies

- (Abstract Only)Ramirez, J.L., Muturi, E.J., Dunlap, C.A., Rooney, A.P. 2017. The interplay between mosquitoes, entomopathogens and symbiotic microbes: A niche for the development of novel microbial-derived vector control strategies. Meeting Abstract.Effect of pesticides on microbial communities in container aquatic habitats
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Muturi, E.J., Donthu, R.K., Fields, C.J., Moise, I.K., Kim, C. 2017. Effect of pesticides on microbial communities in container aquatic habitats. Scientific Reports. 7:44565. doi: 10.1038/srep44565.Comparative analysis of gut microbiota of mosquito communities in central Illinois

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Muturi, E.J., Ramirez, J.L., Rooney, A.P., Chang-Hyun, K. 2017. Comparative analysis of gut microbiota of mosquito communities in central Illinois. PLOS Neglected Tropical Diseases. doi: 10.1371/journal.pntd.0005377.Association between fertilizer-mediated changes in microbial communities and Aedes albopictus growth and survival
                                                        

- (Peer Reviewed Journal)Muturi, E.J., Ramirez, J.L., Rooney, A.P., Dunlap, C.A. 2016. Association between fertilizer-mediated changes in microbial communities and Aedes albopictus growth and survival. Acta Tropica. 164(2016):54-63.
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