Parasites and Vectors (2011) 4 (130) - Development of environmental ...

Susan S. Imbahale, Collins K. Mweresa, Willem Takken and Wolfgang R. Mukabana (2011)
Development of environmental tools for anopheline larval control
Parasites and Vectors 4 (130)
Abstract: Background
Malaria mosquitoes spend a considerable part of their life in the aquatic stage, rendering them vulnerable to interventions directed to aquatic habitats. Recent successes of mosquito larval control have been reported using environmental and biological tools. Here, we report the effects of shading by plants and biological control agents on the development and survival of anopheline and culicine mosquito larvae in man-made natural habitats in western Kenya. Trials consisted of environmental manipulation using locally available plants, the introduction of predatory fish and/or the use of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) in various combinations.
Results
Man-made habitats provided with shade from different crop species produced significantly fewer larvae than those without shade especially for the malaria vector Anopheles gambiae. Larval control of the African malaria mosquito An. gambiae and other mosquito species was effective in habitats where both predatory fish and Bti were applied, than where the two biological control agents were administered independently.
Conclusion
We conclude that integration of environmental management techniques using shade-providing plants and predatory fish and/or Bti are effective and sustainable tools for the control of malaria and other mosquito-borne disease vectors.
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Full text of article
Database assignments for author(s): Willem Takken, Wolfgang Richard Mukabana

Research topic(s) for pests/diseases/weeds:
biocontrol - natural enemies
Research topic(s) for beneficials or antagonists:
application technology
environment/habitat manipulation

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Pest and/or beneficial records:

Beneficial	Pest/Disease/Weed	Crop/Product	Country	Quarant.
	Anopheles gambiae		Kenya
Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (entomopathogen)	Anopheles gambiae		Kenya
Gambusia affinis (predator)	Anopheles gambiae		Kenya