TY - JOUR
T1 - Toxorhynchites Rutilus Rutilus Larvae: A Potential Biological Control Agent for Malaria in Uganda
AU - Ogwal-Okeng, Jasper AU - S. Bbosa, Godfrey AU - Namaganda, Mary AU - Lubega, Aloysius AU - Zziwa, Moses AU - Kalema, James
JO - Research Journal of Biological Sciences
VL - 8
IS - 1
SP - 1
EP - 5
PY - 2013
DA - 2001/08/19
SN - 1815-8846
DO - rjbsci.2013.1.5
UR - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjbsci.2013.1.5
KW - Biological agents
KW -Toxorhynchites rutilus
KW -larvivorous
KW -malaria
KW -mosquito
KW -Uganda
AB - Malaria is still a major killer disease in tropical Africa,
contributing 10% to the overall disease burden. The plasmodium parasites are
mainly transmitted by the mosquitoes, Anopheles gambiae and A. funestus
in Uganda. Approaches for malaria vector control include denial of breeding
ground near human dwellings, use of insecticide treated nets and chemical spraying.
Chemical approaches raise challenges of vector resistance, non-target specificity
and ecological and human health concerns. In view of these draw backs, this
research explored the larvivorous effects of Toxorhynchites rutilus rutilus
(Giant mosquito) larvae which prey on larvae of smaller mosquitoes, against
the fourth instar larvae of Anopheles mosquito. T. rutilus rutilus larvae
were reared in the laboratory and larvicidal assays were done to determine their
effectiveness to eat and reduce the Anpopheles larvae population in the
laboratory. The T. rutilus rutilus larvae cleared all the 120 Anopheles
larvae within 24 h. All the 120 Anopheles larvae in each the control vessels
remained alive and active during the test period. Researchers concluded that
the giant mosquito larvae are potential biological agents for control of malaria
in Uganda.
ER -