Survival of the copepod Mesocyclops longisetus during simulations of transport from hatchery to target areas for biological control of mosquito larvae

Abstract

Copepods have been successfully used in many countries for the biological control of larvae of mosquitoes that vector diseases. In Brazil, this line of research has been focused on the use of the copepod Mesocyclops longisetus (Thiébaud, 1914) for the biological control of the mosquito Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1792). The transportation of the copepods from the place where they are reared to where they will be used often involves long distances for extended periods of time. This study assesses the survivorship of M. longisetus during simulation of transport under different conditions. Different loading densities (20, 30, 40, 80, and 120 ind.L) and stirring times (30 minutes, one hour, two hours, and four hours) were tested. Survivorship was high, with 75% of the results equal or higher than 90% survival. Reduced mortality was observed when transportation time was up to 120 minutes and densities were up to 40 ind.L. In higher densities or longer transportation times, the mortality rate was significantly affected.

Integrated application of macrophytes and zooplankton for wastewater treatment

“…These naturally occurring organisms, which live within and outside plant parts or in water, contribute to the elimination of pollutants (Ijaz et al, 2016). Some zooplankton species are able to utilize bacteria as food source and regulate bacterial density in the natural system whereas many species of copepod zooplankton are larvivorous, and being used in operational vector control programs in many counties (Kocher et al, 2018;Ranathunge et al, 2019;Nunes-Silva et al, 2020). They are able to control mosquito immatures even in the presence of alternative food sources (Kumar and Rao, 2003;Kumar and Hwang, 2006; Kumar Frontiers in Environmental Science frontiersin.org et al, 2008).…”

Synanthropic Culicidae (Diptera) in three fragments of Atlantic Forest in northern Parana, Brazil

“…Several characteristics of breeding sites influence a pregnant female when choosing a location for oviposition, such as color, consistency, size, and shape, among others (Lopes et al, 1995; Nunes-Silva et al, 2020). When a female chooses an artificial container to lay her eggs, it may just be a type of opportunism, but it may also be a case of a change in her habits (Lopes, 1997; Almeida et al, 2020; Evangelista et al, 2021).…”