Bio-Control of Anopheles Mosquito Larvae Using Invertebrate Predators to Support Human Health Programs in Ethiopia
Open Access
- 12 February 2021
- journal article
- research article
- Published by MDPI AG in International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
- Vol. 18 (4), 1810
- https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph18041810
Abstract
Mosquitoes have been a nuisance and health threat to humans for centuries due to their ability to transmit different infectious diseases. Biological control methods have emerged as an alternative or complementary approach to contain vector populations in light of the current spread of insecticide resistance in mosquitoes. Thus, this study aimed to evaluate the predation efficacy of selected potential predators against Anopheles mosquito larvae. Potential invertebrate predators and Anopheles larvae were collected from natural habitats, mainly (temporary) wetlands and ponds in southwest Ethiopia and experiments were conducted under laboratory conditions. Optimal predation conditions with respect to larval instar, water volume and number of predators were determined for each of the seven studied predators. Data analyses were carried out using the Poisson regression model using one way ANOVA at the 5% significant level. The backswimmer (Notonectidae) was the most aggressive predator on Anopheles mosquito larvae with a daily mean predation of 71.5 larvae (95% CI: [65.04;78.59]). Our study shows that larval instar, water volume and number of predators have a significant effect on each predator, except for dragonflies (Libellulidae), with regard to the preference of the larval instar. A selection of mosquito predators has the potential to control Anopheles mosquito larvae, suggesting that they can be used as complementary approach in an integrated malaria vector control strategy.This publication has 44 references indexed in Scilit:
- The Biological Control of the Malaria VectorToxins, 2012
- Predation ability and non-consumptive effects of Notonecta sellata (Heteroptera: Notonectidae) on immature stages of Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae)Journal of Vector Ecology, 2012
- Predation efficiency of Anopheles gambiae larvae by aquatic predators in western Kenya highlandsParasites & Vectors, 2011
- Multiple Insecticide Resistance: An Impediment to Insecticide-Based Malaria Vector Control ProgramPLOS ONE, 2011
- Spatial mapping of gene expression in the salivary glands of the dengue vector mosquito, Aedes aegyptiParasites & Vectors, 2011
- AQUATIC INSECTS AS PREDATORS OF MOSQUITO LARVAEJournal of the American Mosquito Control Association, 2007
- POPULATION DYNAMICSJournal of the American Mosquito Control Association, 2007
- Larvicidal effects of various essential oils against Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex larvae (Diptera, Culicidae)Zeitschrift für Parasitenkunde, 2006
- Diving beetles (Dytiscidae) as predators of mosquito larvae (Culicidae) in field experiments and in laboratory tests of prey preferenceBulletin of Entomological Research, 2003
- RELIABILITY OF USING HEAD CAPSULE WIDTH AND BODY LENGTH TO IDENTIFY LARVAL INSTARS OF AEDES VIGILAX (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE)Australian Journal of Entomology, 1986