Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40682751›Full record

ReviewAmbio2025

Insects as disease vectors: Historical and contemporary analysis of entomological warfare.

Abdelwahab Khalil, Shaimaa Abdelgawad, Aya A El-Hareef, Aliaa A Maatouk, Lamiaa M Genaidy, Nour Y S Yassin, Abeer M Salem

Abstract readReviewHistorical Article
In one paragraph

Review in Ambio, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

7 authors.

Abdelwahab KhalilEntomology Division, Zoology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62521, Egypt.
Shaimaa AbdelgawadZoology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62521, Egypt.
Aya A El-HareefZoology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62521, Egypt.
Aliaa A MaatoukZoology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62521, Egypt.
Lamiaa M GenaidyZoology Department, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62521, Egypt.
Nour Y S YassinPhysiology Division, Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Beni-Suef University, Beni-Suef, 62521, Egypt.
Abeer M SalemDepartment of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, P.O. Box 12613, Giza, Egypt. mabeer@sci.cu.edu.eg.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-8552-5372

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Entomological warfare has been known since ancient civilizations used insects to spread disease among enemies. Advances in science and technology have enhanced the potential for using insects as vectors for viruses and toxins in warfare, including both traditional methods and new innovations like genetic engineering. This review aims to: (i) explore the historical and contemporary roles of insects in biological warfare; (ii) examine the ethical, legal, and ecological challenges associated with this form of warfare; and (iii) outline historical uses of insects as weapons, from releasing disease-carrying mosquitoes to creating genetically modified insects. It highlights the complexities of legal and ethical frameworks governing entomological warfare and potential environmental impacts. While insects offer unique advantages as biological agents, their use in combat raises significant ethical and environmental concerns. Therefore, there is an urgent need for international cooperation and regulatory oversight to ensure responsible and ethical applications of entomological warfare technologies.

Indexed as

Biological WarfareDisease VectorsInsectaInsect VectorsAnimalsHistory, 20th CenturyAncient civilizationsBioweaponEntomological warfareEntomological weaponInsect based warfare

Identifiers

PMID40682751
PMCPMC12569269

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.