Potential of predation of three flatworms on mosquitoes: field survey and laboratory trials

TRANCHIDA M. C.; MACIÁ A.; BRSUSA F.; MICIELI M. V.; GARCÍA J.J.

BIOLOGICAL CONTROL

Elsevier

Lugar: Amstedam; Año: 2009 vol. 49 p. 270 - 276

1049-9644

We conducted a field survey in order to search for turbellarians predating on culicids and to evaluate them as potential control agents against the local species of  mosquitoes species dwelling in artificial containers, Aedes aegypti L. and Culex pipiens L. (Diptera, Culicidae). Laboratory trials were performed to know daily predation rate, differential predation on each mosquito larval stage, selective predation on either A. aegypti or C. pipiens, and predator tolerance to water from artificial containers. Girardia anceps (Kenk) Ball (Tricladida, Paludicola, Dugesiidae), Mesostoma ehrenbergii (Focke) Örsted and Bothromesostoma cf. evelinae Marcus (Rhabdochoela, Typhloplanoida, Typhloplanidae) were found in temporary puddles and permanent pools and they killed in the laboratory between 52 and 100 per cent of immature mosquitoes coexisting in the same habitat. No preference for mosquito preys by turbellarians was detected. Predation rate was related to predator size and stage of preys. Girardia anceps and B. evelinae were able to survive after a dry period and lay eggs. Tolerance to water from articial containers was higher in G. Anceps. Girardia anceps could be an appropiate organism to be applied using an inoculative strategy to reduce mosquito population of artificial containers.