Predators as Control Agents of Mosquito Larvae in Micro-Reservoirs (Review)

Abstract

The article reviews predators that are able to control populations of mosquito larvae (Culicidae) in phytotelmata and their anthropogenic analogs. The spectrum of mosquito larva consumers in micro-reservoirs is listed. It includes flatworms, crustaceans, arachnids, insects, vertebrates, and carnivorous plants. The biology and practical use of the two most effective biological control agents, predatory mosquitoes Toxorhynchites and copepods, are considered in more detail. Prospects of invertebrate predators as controlling agents for the mosquito larvae in micro-reservoirs in temperate climate zones are briefly discussed. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1134/S1995082922010138.

Impacts of Lysinibacillus sphaericus on mosquito larval community composition and larval competition between Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus

“…Toxorhynchites is an important predator of container developing mosquito larvae, and previous experiments show that predation by Toxorhynchites can result in signi cant alterations of mosquito community composition 18,19 . The strength of Toxorhynchites predation effects on mosquito larval survival and development is the driving reason behind mass rearing and release programs of Toxorhynchites mosquitoes as a biological control tactic 20,21 . Because Toxorhynchites pupae were not detected in a single mesocosm until the 8th week of our experiment, our results con dently demonstrate that the application and continued residual activity of L. sphaericus was dominantly responsible for the absence of Cx.…”

Impacts of Lysinibacillus sphaericus on mosquito larval community composition and larval competition between Culex pipiens and Aedes albopictus

“…Toxorhynchites is an important predator of container developing mosquito larvae, and previous experiments show that predation by Toxorhynchites can result in significant alterations of mosquito community composition 18 , 19 . The strength of Toxorhynchites predation effects on mosquito larval survival and development is the driving reason behind mass rearing and release programs of Toxorhynchites mosquitoes as a biological control tactic 20 , 21 . Because Toxorhynchites pupae were not detected in a single mesocosm until the 8th week of our experiment, our results confidently demonstrate that the application and continued residual activity of L. sphaericus was dominantly responsible for the absence of Cx.…”

Perspectives of vector management in the control and elimination of vector-borne zoonoses

“…Theoretically, the biocontrol approach is more target-specific, thus of lower risk of imparting off-target effects to the environment. Prior to the new millennium, biocontrol approach was not as widely applied as its chemical and environmental counterparts, due to the relative ease of implementing the other two approaches ( Quiroz-Martinez and Rodriguez-Castro, 2007 ; Shaalan and Canyon, 2009 ; Vershini and Kanagappan, 2014 ; Vinogradov et al, 2022 ). Nevertheless, biocontrol approach has received increasing attention following encouraging results obtained from the mass-application of Wolbachia -infected Aedes aegypti , genetically modified mosquitoes, sterile male triatomine bugs and tsetse flies.…”

“…Copepods can adapt to a large variety of water bodies and micro aquatic habitats such as phytotelmata (structures of terrestrial plants that allow formation of water pockets). Such high adaptability allows copepods to be explored as vector biocontrol agents in different settings ( Vinogradov et al, 2022 ). In fact, the discovery of copepod’s potential in vector biocontrol was rather accidental, following an observed reduction of Ae.…”

“…( Riviere and Thirel, 1981 ; Marten et al, 1989 ; Lardeux, 1992 ; Lardeux et al, 1992 ; Vu et al, 1998 ; Schaper, 1999 ; Marten et al, 2000 ; Kay et al, 2002 ; Zoppi de Roa et al, 2002 ; Soumare and Cilek, 2011 ). Despite their ability to adapt to different sizes of water bodies, copepods are particularly sensitive to temperature changes, chlorine content, low oxygen levels, and presence of toxin within the water ( Brown, 1996 ; Vinogradov et al, 2022 ). Moreover, it is important to highlight that several species of copepods serve as the intermediate hosts of medically important parasites such as Drancunculus medinensis (guinea-worm) and Dibothriocephalus latus / Diphyllobothrium latum (fish tape worm; Marten and Reid, 2007 ; Vinogradov et al, 2022 ).…”