Mesocyclops aspericornis (Copepoda) and Bacillus thuringiensis var. Israelensis for the Biological Control of Aedes and Culex Vectors (Diptera: Culicidae) Breeding in Crab Holes, Tree Holes, and Artificial Containers

Abstract

In French Polynesia, the cyclopoid copepod Mesocyclops aspericornis was inoculated into burrows of the land crab Cardisoma carnifex and into tree holes, drums, wells, and tires. It successfully reduced larval populations of Aedes polynesiensis and/or Aedes aegypti by 91-99%. Mesocyclops aspericornis has persisted to date for 29 mo in crab holes and for 60 mo in some wells, tires, and tree holes. As M. aspericornis does not effectively reduce Culex populations, copepod suspensions can be mixed with Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis, without detriment to the copepod, to effectively kill larvae of both genera. Its oligophagic feeding pattern, ease of mass production or collection, and high fecundity within probable temperature and salinity ranges of 23-30°C and O-4% make M. aspericornis a good candidate as a biological control agent.

Laboratory evaluation of Mesocyclops annulatus (Wierzejski, 1892) (Copepoda: Cyclopidea) as a predator of container-breeding mosquitoes in Argentina

“…Our results suggest that M. annulatus did not have a feeding preference for mosquito larvae in containers if algae and protozoan were available. Reduction of predation rates of copepods on mosquito larvae in the presence of abundantly alternative food has been reported by previous authors (Rivière et al 1987, Laird 1988, Andreadis & Gere 1992. …”

“…Some species of Mesocyclops have been previously reported as non-efficient predators of Culex because of the larvae ability to escape capture by copepods (Rivière et al 1987, Marten et al 1989, Marten 1990). This study also reports reduced mortality on Culex compared to Aedes larvae.…”

Laboratory and field efficacy of Pedalium murex and predatory copepod, Mesocyclops longisetus on rural malaria vector, Anopheles culicifacies

“…Larvivorous copepods such as Macrocyclops albidus, M. longisetus and Mesocyclops aspericornis are highly effective for controlling Aedes sp. larvae in discarded tires [39,40] .…”

“…It is commonly found in Deccan and in some parts of Ceylon and Gujarat. It is about 15 to 40 cm in height, having four angled spiny brownish colour fruits. The fruits are rich in polyphenolics (flavonoids and phenolics), glycosides like sapogenin (diosgenin 0.06%) and soluble proteins (20.14 mg/g) [9,10] .…”

Eradication of Aedes aegypti from a village in Vietnam, using copepods and community participation.

“…Various species of Mesocyclops, Macrocyclops, Megacyclops, and Acanthocyclops have been field tested in a variety of Aedes-breeding habitats in the Pacific, the Americas, and Asia, including wells, water storage containers (e.g., tanks, 200-liter drums, and ceramic jars), discarded tires, and land crab (Cardisoma carnifex) burrows. [11][12][13][14] Local populations of Ae. albopictus (Skuse) have been eradicated by introducing cyclopoids into tires in New Orleans, Louisiana, 15 where Mesocyclops has become an operational part of municipal mosquito control.…”