A search for Mosquitocidal fish species as biocontrol agents. (original) (raw)

Specimens were collected to investigate the feeding preferences of different indigenous fishes in natural habitat of NWFP Pakistan. A total of 426 fish specimens were collected from two diverse localities of Peshawar and Swat. Identification of fish specimen revealed nine and six different species from Peshawar and Swat respectively. Fishes were further categorized as carnivorous, omnivorous and herbivorous by analyzing their gut contents. Main objective of the study was to identify indigenous species which can serve as biocontrol agents to eradicate mosquito larvae in local conditions. The result indicated that five species were carnivorous, four herbivorous and three omnivorous.