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At least 127 records · Page 7Linked to original sources
PubMed1997

The gecko: an environmentally friendly biological agent for mosquito control.

Laboratory experiments with Aedes aegypti mosquitoes investigated the effects of light, mosquito density and physiological state on predation rates by the Australian gecko Gehydra dubia and the exotic Asian house gecko Hemidactylus frenatus. For both gecko species a positive correlation was demonstrated between prey density and the predation rate. Using Ae.aegypti males and unfed females as prey in a terrarium (0.054 m3), consumption rates reached 76-108/day for G.dubia and 63-109/day for H.frenatus, with significantly more female mosquitoes than males being eaten in most experiments. Comparing dark with semi-illuminated conditions no consistent contrast of predation rate was demonstrated. Gehyra dubia predation rates on various Australian mosquito species were compared in an experimental room (32 m3) for 24 h exposure with photoperiod L:D 12:12 h Five photophilic species (Aedes vigilax, Anopheles annulipes, Coquillettidia xanthogaster, Culex annulirostris, Cx sitiens) suffered 78-100% predation, compared with only 33-53% predation of four non-photophilic species: Aedes aegypti, Ae.notoscriptus, Ae.vittiger and Cx quinquefasciatus. This demonstrates the potential benefit of domestication for geckoes that learn to hunt at light. When offered a mixture of unfed, freshly blood-fed and gravid females of Ae.aegypti in an illuminated terrarium, both gecko species consumed significantly more unfed than fed or gravid female mosquitoes, presumably because the latter rested whereas the former foraged more actively. H.frenatus consumed significantly more mosquitoes of all categories than did G.dubia per 24 h: unfeds 5.1 +/- 0.1% v. 4.5 +/- 0.5%, blood-feds 4.5 +/- 0.3% v. 4.0 +/- 0.5% and gravids 4.8 +/- 0.4% v. 3.9 +/- 0.5%. Possible relevance of these results to competitive displacement of G.dubia by H.frenatus is discussed.

Aedes↗
PubMed1986

Ground and aerial application of the sexual and asexual stages of Lagenidium giganteum (Oomycetes: Lagenidiales) for mosquito control.

Fermentor-grown cultures of the sexual and asexual stages of Lagenidium giganteum were applied in rice fields in the Central Valley near Sacramento, CA. Both ground and aerial applications of the asexual stage resulted in high levels of immediate control of sentinel Culex tarsalis and indigenous Cx. tarsalis and Anopheles freeborni larvae and provided some degree of control throughout the four-month mosquito breeding season. Oospores which were desiccated in the field following application provided consistently high larval infection levels after reflooding of the fields. Advantages of using the sexual stage of L. giganteum for field larval control are presented.

Agriculture↗
PubMed1992

Wetland management strategies that enhance waterfowl habitats can also control mosquitoes.

Two studies in California wetlands and a third in Minnesota wetlands indicate that management practices designed to enhance habitat quality for waterfowl can concurrently reduce mosquito problems. In a seasonally flooded pickleweed wetland in Suisun Marsh, Solano Co., CA, we demonstrated that reducing plant-cover by 50% increased benthic densities of chironomid midge and dytiscid beetle larvae; these insects can be important in waterfowl diets. This manipulation also concentrated Aedes melanimon and Culiseta inornata mosquito larvae along wetland perimeters; thus, the need for control measures was greatly restricted spatially. A study in 9 experimental ponds in Suisun Marsh demonstrated that higher water levels could enhance populations of the macroinvertebrates important in waterfowl diets; general macroinvertebrate densities were higher at 60 cm depths than 20 cm or 40 cm depths. In contrast, Cs. inornata densities were lowest at 60 cm depths and highest at 20 cm depths. A study conducted in a perennial-water cattail wetland in Minneapolis-St. Paul, MN, demonstrated that a temporary water-level drawdown, designed to enhance waterfowl habitat quality of perennial-water wetlands, also reduced densities of Coquillettidia perturbans mosquito larvae. These mosquitoes disappeared immediately after the drawdown, but even after water depths were restored to pre-drawdown levels, significant numbers did not reappear until 4 years post-drawdown. Studies in 202 other Minnesota wetlands also demonstrated the susceptibility of Cq. perturbans populations to drawdown, but the impact of drawdown was greater in stands of emergent cattail than in floating cattail.

Aedes↗
PubMed2006

Insecticide-treated bed-nets for malaria mosquito control.

Pyrethroid-treated bed-nets act against late-night biting mosquitoes, like traps baited by the body odor of the occupant. The personal protective effect of treated nets is considerable, even if they are torn. However, some biting of the occupants does occur, as shown by matching microsatellite alleles in mosquito blood meals to those of net occupants. When whole communities were provided with treated nets, ovarian age grading showed that mosquito survival was reduced, and so was the number of sporozoite-positive mosquitoes in malarious communities. Thus, a high percentage of coverage of all members of malaria-endemic communities is considered to be the most effective way of providing protection for highly malaria-vulnerable children and pregnant women. Teams distributing nets or retreating them free of charge show high productivity, and we consider this the most cost-effective way to proceed. There is evidence for reduced anti-malaria antibody levels in children in communities where treated nets have long been used. However, overall benefits in reduced anemia and mortality are sustained. A high frequency of the kdr resistance gene has not prevented pyrethroid-treated nets from functioning, but it is important to develop alternative fabric treatments in case stronger forms of resistance emerge.

Africa↗