Background: Mosquito-borne diseases, such as malaria, dengue, and Zika, pose significant global health challenges, intensified by rising insecticide resistance and environmental concerns associated with conventional control methods. RNA interference (RNAi) offers a promising, eco-friendly, and species-specific approach for mosquito vector control by silencing critical genes. This study aims to assess the research landscape of RNAi in mosquitoes through a bibliometric analysis. Methods: Relevant publications from January 2010 to October 2025 were retrieved from the Web of Science and Scopus targeted RNAi-related keywords. Only peer-reviewed, English-language original research articles were included. Data were analyzed using VOSviewer for network visualization, Bibliometrix for bibliometric metrics, and Microsoft Excel for descriptive analysis. Results: The analysis included 480 articles, revealing a steady increase in publications, with a peak in 2020. The United States (45.4%) and China (22.1%) led research output, while African countries were notably underrepresented. Keyword co-occurrence analysis indicated a shift from foundational gene function studies to applied technologies, including nanoparticle and yeast-mediated RNAi delivery systems. High-impact journals like Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences and Parasites & Vectors were prominent publication venues. Most studies targeted several genes, with the majority in Aedes species, then Anopheles species, and the least Culex species. Conclusion: RNAi research in mosquitoes has advanced significantly, evolving toward practical vector control solutions, yet challenges persist in delivery efficiency and field application. The lack of African representation highlights the need for equitable global collaboration. Strengthened international partnerships and increased regional investment are essential to realize RNAi’s potential for sustainable, effective mosquito control.

The rapid increase of resistance to insecticides among Anopheles mosquitoes, the primary vectors of malaria, highlights the necessity for new approaches in controlling vectors. RNA interference (RNAi) offers a targeted and environmentally safer alternative approach. Arginase in Anopheles gambiae, involved in nitrogen metabolism, presents a compelling target due to its potential role in modulating mosquito immune responses and influencing parasite development and vectorial competency. The study focused on designing and evaluating Dicer-substrate small interfering RNA (DsiRNA) molecules targeting arginase in An. gambiae to disrupt parasite development and reduce malaria transmission. DsiRNAs were designed using Integrated DNA Technologies and optimized based on GC content, secondary structure prediction, thermodynamic parameters, and off-target screening. The derived 21-mer guide strands were further evaluated through molecular docking to assess interactions with An. gambiae Ago2. To validate the docked complex for stability, a molecular dynamics (MD) simulation using 100 ns was performed, revealing stable RMSD trajectories, sustained hydrogen bonding, maintained structural compactness, and minimal residue fluctuation, indicating persistent Ago2-guide strand interactions under physiological conditions. Eight DsiRNAs demonstrated optimal biophysical and specificity profiles, among which DsiRNA6, followed by DsiRNA8, and DsiRNA1 exhibited favorable binding energy and dynamic stability. These findings highlight the structural feasibility and functional potential of selected DsiRNAs as candidates for arginase knockdown in An. gambiae and support RNAi-based strategies as promising alternatives for vector control.

In Cameroon, the rising incidence of arboviral diseases including dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever coupled with the nationwide expansion and proliferation of Aedes vector populations necessitate the evaluation of efficient vector control tools in the context of widespread pyrethroid resistance. To address this gap, this study: (i) evaluates the semi-field residual efficacy and remanence of VectoMax^®G across different container types using a range of doses; (ii) investigates the influence of environmental physicochemical parameters (temperature and pH) on larvicide persistence; and (iii) assesses the field-level effect of VectoMax^®G-treated ovitraps on gravid female oviposition preference and adult emergence inhibition. Semi-field bioassays were conducted using local laboratory-reared larvae across three container types (tire, plastic, and metal), testing a range of doses from half to twelve times the recommended WHO dose, with three independent replicates per test group. Remanence of the larvicide was monitored weekly over a 28- to 35-day period, with a threshold of 80% mortality. Additionally, a field trial using 600 ovitraps (300 treated with 0.010 g of VectoMax^®G and 300 controls) was conducted across urban, peri-urban, and rural settings in Yaoundé over four weeks in each study site to evaluate the oviposition preference of gravid females and adult emergence inhibition. The larvicide demonstrated high initial efficacy (100% mortality rate), with remanence significantly influenced by container type and post-exposure duration (p = 0.0013). Used tires provided the longest remanence period, reaching 28–35 days in some replications following a single treatment compared to a maximum of 14 days in plastic and metal containers. The use of supra-normal doses did not consistently extend the remanence period across the breeding containers. Physicochemical analysis via supplementary regression models revealed that pH > 7 was positively correlated with larvicide persistence (p = 0.0321). In the field, treated ovitraps did not deter gravid females searching for suitable oviposition sites; egg colonization rates were similar between treated (67.66%) and control (63.91%) groups (p = 0.058), confirming a lure-and-kill effect. However, adult emergence in treated traps was drastically reduced (n = 76) compared to untreated controls (n = 2727), representing a significant suppression of adult emergence from treated ovitraps. Aedes albopictus was the predominant species collected (59.72%) across all ecological zones. VectoMax^®G demonstrated high initial and residual efficacy against Aedes larvae. Its high performance in tires, the primary breeding habitat of Aedes mosquitoes, and its lack of repellency to gravid females suggest that it may represent a promising component of integrated vector management strategies, though further evaluation is needed to confirm its impact on disease transmission.