Predator preferences: a key to effective biological control design

Autores

  • Winnie Steven University of Dar-es-salaam
  • Kishimbo Ombeni University of Dar-es-salaam
  • Eliningaya J. Kweka University of Health and Allied Sciences
  • Merikinoi Kimirei Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Arusha
  • Cecilia Cleopa, University of Dar-es-salaam

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.12662/2317-3076jhbs.v9i1.2977.p1-4.2021

Palavras-chave:

Larvae, Mosquito, Reduction, Predator, Bio-control

Resumo

Objetctive: This experimental study aimed to assess the preference of Gambusia affinis to mosquito larvae of An.gambiae s.s., Cx. quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti. Method: Three Gambusia affinis were introduced in a glass container with a dimension of 45cm x 25cmx 25cm. Three larvae densities were used, 90 (30 larvae per species), 120 (40 larvae per species), and 180 (60 larvae per species). Each density experiment was set in triplicate and monitored after 1, 2, 3, and 24 hours. No fish food was added to the container for larvae. Results: Results have shown that in all times A. aegypti has been the most preferred species by Gambusia affinis. Among the tested species, A. aegypti was most prayed with time and in different densities. In mixed models including density, species, and time there was no significant difference among the species predation. Conclusion: Preliminary results have shown that the appropriate choice of predators for each mosquito species can have a great impact on bio-control to substantially complement existing tools.

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Biografia do Autor

Merikinoi Kimirei, Tropical Pesticides Research Institute, Arusha

Eliningaya Kweka is Heading the Directorate of Research at Tropical Pesticides Research Institute and an Associate Research Professor of Medical Entomology at Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences (CUHAS). Prof. Kweka does research in disease vector ecology, biology and control. His current projects include clinical trials of anti-malarial drugs, mosquito behaviour, bed bugs resistance status, dengue vectors and viruses detection in Lake Zone. Evaluation of malaria control strategies and tools efficacy.

Publicado

2021-04-05