Diving beetles (Dytiscidae) as predators of mosquito larvae (Culicidae) in field experiments and in laboratory tests of prey preference (original) (raw)
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Effect of water depth on predation frequency by diving beetles on mosquito larvae prey
Entomological Science
Diving behavior and its frequency may differ between species of mosquito larvae owing to differences in predation pressure. The present study aimed to investigate the relationship between water depth and predation frequency on two mosquito species, Culex tritaeniorhynchus (wetland breeder) and Aedes albopictus (container breeder), by the diving beetle Eretes griseus. Culex tritaeniorhynchus spends more time at the surface than A. albopictus, which spends more time thrashing underwater. When intact mosquito larvae of both species were present, the diving beetles consumed almost A.
Journal of Vector Ecology, 2010
Abundances of mosquito larvae and associated invertebrate communities were assessed in 27 temporary ponds during the spring season in wetland areas of Germany. Four genera of mosquitoes were identiied: Aedes, Anopheles, Culex, and Culiseta. We focused our analyses on Aedes spp. because this genus was the most abundant (92% of total abundance) and frequently encountered mosquito (present in 65% of investigated sites). he abundance of Aedes spp. was negatively associated with the abundance of competitors for food, and to a lesser extent with those of intraguild predators and strict predators. he inluence of these natural antagonists on larvae of Aedes was stronger in ponds with higher levels of dissolved oxygen (53 ± 4%) than in ponds with lower levels (16 ± 1%). he overall abundance of antagonists explained 42% of the variation in abundance of Aedes spp. at sites with higher levels of dissolved oxygen. Of this explained variation, competitors accounted for 34.7%, whereas the abundance of intraguild predators and strict predators accounted for only 6.8 and 0.5%, respectively. herefore, the promotion of competing species might be an appropriate ecological approach for the control of Aedes spp. in temporary ponds in these areas. Journal of Vector Ecology 35 (2): 419-427. 2010.
Larvicidal Efficiency of Aquatic Predators: A Perspective for Mosquito Biocontrol
Zoological Studies, 2006
Ram Kumar and Jiang-Shiou Hwang (2006) Larvicidal efficiency of aquatic predators: a perspective for mosquito biocontrol. Zoological Studies 45(4): 447-466. Biological control of mosquito larvae with predators and other biocontrol agents would be a more-effective and eco-friendly approach, avoiding the use of synthetic chemicals and concomitant damage to the environment. Manipulating or introducing an auto-reproducing predator into the ecosystem may provide sustained biological control of pest populations. The selection of a biological control agent should be based on its self-replicating capacity, preference for the target pest population in the presence of alternate natural prey, adaptability to the introduced environment, and overall interaction with indigenous organisms. In order to achieve an acceptable range of control, a sound knowledge of various attributes of interactions between a pest population and the predator to be introduced is desirable. Herein, we qualitatively review a wide range of literature sources discussing the ability of different aquatic predators to control mosquito larval populations in environments where mosquitoes naturally breed. Different predators of mosquito larvae include amphibian tadpoles, fish, dragonfly larvae, aquatic bugs, mites, malacostracans, anostracans, cyclopoid copepods, and helminths. The most widely used biocontrol agents of mosquito populations are the western mosquito fish, Gambusia affinis, and the eastern mosquito fish, G. holbrooki. The effect of these fishes on native faunal composition and their inability to survive in small containers, tree holes etc., which are ideal breeding sites of vectorially important mosquitoes, make them inefficient in controlling mosquito populations. On the basis of larvicidal efficiency, the ability to produce dormant eggs, the hatchability of dormant eggs after rehydration, faster developmental rates, and higher fecundity, various tadpole shrimp can be considered to
Biocontrol of larval mosquitoes by Acilius sulcatus (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)
BMC Infectious Diseases, 2008
Background: Problems associated with resistant mosquitoes and the effects on non-target species by chemicals, evoke a reason to find alternative methods to control mosquitoes, like the use of natural predators. In this regard, aquatic coleopterans have been explored less compared to other insect predators. In the present study, an evaluation of the role of the larvae of Acilius sulcatus Linnaeus 1758 (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae) as predator of mosquito immatures was made in the laboratory. Its efficacy under field condition was also determined to emphasize its potential as biocontrol agent of mosquitoes.
Biological mosquito control is affected by alternative prey
Zoological Studies, 2015
Background Mosquitofish were introduced to several countries of the tropics and subtropics as biological agents for the control of mosquito larvae. Meanwhile, they became a threat to native communities and fish worldwide, similar to other invasive species through resource competition, overexploitation, or habitat alteration. We investigated prey selectivity patterns of Gambusia affinis (mosquitofish) preying on larvae of the two Indian major carps (Catla catla and Labeo rohita) in the presence of varied proportions of alternative prey (rotifers, cladocerans, chironomid and mosquito larvae) under laboratory conditions. Results The patterns of prey selectivity in mosquitofish were influenced by the presence of alternative prey and their relative abundance in the environment. Carp larvae, when present in equal proportions, were randomly selected by mosquitofish, however, positively selected when present in higher proportions. In the presence of Hexarthra mira, Daphnia similoides or the...
Aquatic insect predators and mosquito control
Tropical Biomedicine, 2009
Mosquitoes are serious biting pests and obligate vectors of many vertebrate pathogens. Their immature larval and pupal life stages are a common feature in most tropical and many temperate water bodies and often form a significant proportion of the biomass. Control strategies rely primarily on the use of larvicides and environmental modification to reduce recruitment and adulticides during periods of disease transmission. Larvicides are usually chemical but can involve biological toxins, agents or organisms. The use of insect predators in mosquito control has been exploited in a limited fashion and there is much room for further investigation and implementation.
Bioresource Technology, 2004
The daily number of IV instar larva of Culex quinquefasciatus killed, rate of pupation and adult emergence was noted in presence of the predatory water bug Sphaerodema annulatum for a period of seven consecutive days, experimentally, in the laboratory. The rate of IV instar larva killed by the water bugs on an average was 65.17 per day. The rate of pupation ranged between 7.6 and 48 in control while in presence of water bugs it ranged between 6 and 35. The rate of adult emergence in control experiments varied between 1.4 and 4.8 per day, which was reduced to only 0.4-28.8 per day in case of the water bugs. The results clearly indicate that the water bugs on its way of predation reduces the rate of pupation and adult emergence of Cx. quinquefasciatus significantly which calls for an extensive field trials.
Ovipositional Responses of Two Culex (Diptera: Culicidae) Species to Larvivorous Fish
Journal of Medical Entomology, 2009
Species-speciÞc differences in the responses of egg-laying mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) to the presence of Þsh exudates in oviposition sites in laboratory bioassays have been related to the likelihood of encountering mosquito-eating Þsh in natural oviposition sites. We examined the responses of egg-laying mosquitoes to the presence of larvivorous Þsh in oviposition sites to test this hypothesis in the Þeld. The number of Culex tarsalis Coquillett egg rafts laid on mesocosms (15.5 m 2 ; 8 m 3 ) containing caged mosquitoÞsh (0.066 Gambusia affinis per liter) was reduced by 84% relative to mesocosms lacking Þsh. Egg-laying Culex quinquefasciatus Say did not differentiate signiÞcantly between comparatively small (0.11 m 2 ) oviposition sites containing water conditioned with mosqui-toÞsh (0.3 G. affinis per liter) versus aged reservoir water. Cx. quinquefasciatus egg rafts were not collected from the larger mesocosms, and Cx. tarsalis egg rafts were rarely collected from the smaller oviposition sites. Oviposition preferences for characteristics of aquatic habitats that lack Þsh (e.g., small size, semipermanence, and high levels of organic enrichment in which hypoxic conditions are prevalent) may limit the coexistence of immature stages of some mosquito species such as Cx. quinquefasciatus and insectivorous Þsh. Mosquito species such as Cx. tarsalis that also use comparatively large water bodies as developmental sites may have evolved the ability to detect the presence of predatory Þsh.
Journal of Vector Ecology, 2014
Investigations on natural antagonists of mosquito larvae found that micro-crustaceans (e.g., Cladocera) control mosquito populations under experimental conditions. However, their relevance for mosquito control under ield situations remains widely unclear because important information about habitat preferences and time of occurrence of crustaceans and mosquito larvae are still missing. In order to ill this knowledge gap, a ield study was undertaken in diferent wetland areas of Saxony, Germany, in diferent habitats (i.e., grassland, forest, and reed-covered wetlands). We found negative interactions between larvae of Ae. vexans and predatory Cyclopoida (Crustacean: Copepoda), which both were dominant during the irst two weeks of hydroperiod, at ponds located at grassland habitats. Larvae of Cx. pipiens were spatially associated with competing Cladocera, but they colonized ponds more rapidly. Populations of Cladocera established from the third week of hydroperiod and prevented Cx. pipiens colonization thereater. Ostracoda were highly abundant during the whole hydroperiod, but their presence was restricted to habitats of reed-covered wetland at one geographical area. Mosquito larvae hardly occurred at those ponds. In general, we found that ponds at the reed-covered wetlands provided better conditions for the initial development of crustaceans and hence, mosquito larval colonization was strongly inhibited. Grassland habitat, in contrast, favored early development of mosquito larvae. his study showed that micro-crustaceans are relevant for mosquito management but their impact on mosquito larvae varies between species and depends on environmental conditions. Journal of Vector Ecology 39 (1): 103-111. 2014.