Biocontrol efficiency of Nepa cinerea Linnaeus 1758 (Hemiptera: Nepidae) against the vectors of dengue and filarial fever

摘要

Mosquitoes are important vectors of several tropical diseases. Aquatic insects used as biocontrol agentsfor mosquitoes are given prime importance because of its ecofriendly nature. In the present study, theadults of Nepa cinerea were tested for its biocontrol efficiency against the instars of Aedes aegypti, Aedesalbopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus. More preference was given to the III instar with regard to stagepreference, and Aedes aegypti followed by Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus with referenceto the experimental vector species. The predatory impact and the clearance rate were high in Aedesaegypti followed by Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus with values ranging from 14.05 to15.70; 14.63 to 15.15; 14.83 to 15.05; and 2.64 to 2.71; 2.29 to 2.54; 1.43 to 2.17 per larvae per daypredator respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that Nepa cinerea adults could be used as anadditional biocontrol agent against the vectors of dengue and filarial fever.