Authors : Jasper Ogwal-Okeng, Godfrey S. Bbosa, Mary Namaganda, Aloysius Lubega, Moses Zziwa and James Kalema
Abstract: 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.
Jasper Ogwal-Okeng, Godfrey S. Bbosa, Mary Namaganda, Aloysius Lubega, Moses Zziwa and James Kalema, 2013. Toxorhynchites Rutilus Rutilus Larvae: A Potential Biological Control Agent for Malaria in Uganda. Research Journal of Biological Sciences, 8: 1-5.