Influence of the amselfly, ischnuraevansi (Odonata : Coenagriidae)‎ on the immature stage of culexpipiensmolestus (Diptera : Culicidae)‎ as biological control

Abstract EN

The mosquitoes Culexpipiens are annoying pests and obligate vectors of many vertebrate pathogens.

Their immature stages are common in fauna of a wide range quality of water bodies.

Most of the alternative biocontrol strategies focus on mosquito immature stages.

Predators play a major role in mosquito control programs.

The naiads of the damselfly,Ischnuraevansi (Coenagriidae) naturally inhabitate with the mosquito, C.pipiensmolestus immature stages, the large naiads with average size 1.5±0.5cm more than daily predated 12.1 larvae of 1st and 2nd instars, with 0.63 clearance rate, the naiads strongly preferred mosquito larvae over the chironomdsC.

ninavah larvae of the density 20/liter.

The starred naiad tends to ingest the egg rafts.

But not more than 3 rafts/day .

The presence of the predator with 5 individuals/liter extended the life cycle from 13.0 in control to 20.8 days with high significant effect on 3rd and the istars and pupa stage.