Suppression of Aedes aegypti by predatory Toxorhynchites moctezuma in an island habitat |
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Authors: | ELISHA S TIKASINGH ANN EUSTACE |
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Institution: | Caribbean Epidemiology Centre, Port of Spain, Trinidad. |
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Abstract: | Larval populations of the mosquito Aedes aegypti were suppressed by predatory Toxorhynchites moctezuma mosquito larvae released systematically in a village on Union Island (Saint Vincent and the Grenadines) during March-December 1988. Eggs and larvae of Tx.moctezuma were transported from Trinidad and introduced into all semi-permanent and permanent water-holding containers in the experimental village at Clifton. The semi-isolated village of Ashton served as control. Base-line Ae.aegypti indices (house, ovitrap, Breteau, cistern/tank, drum/barrel, small containers) were obtained for the two villages over a 4-month period prior to the introduction of the predatory Tx.moctezuma mosquito larvae. After sustained releases of predators for 5 months, all indices of Ae.aegypti were lower in the treated village than in the untreated village during the last 3 months of the year. |
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Keywords: | Aeaes aegypti Toxorhynchites moctezuma predatory larvae mosquito control The Grenadines |
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