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

Abstract

Mosquitoes are important vectors of several tropical diseases. Aquatic insects used as biocontrol agents for mosquitoes are given prime importance because of its ecofriendly nature. In the present study, the adults of Nepa cinerea were tested for its biocontrol efficiency against the instars of Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus. More preference was given to the III instar with regard to stage preference, and Aedes aegypti followed by Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus with reference to the experimental vector species. The predatory impact and the clearance rate were high in Aedes aegypti followed by Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus with values ranging from 14.05 to 15.70; 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 day predator respectively. Therefore, it can be concluded that Nepa cinerea adults could be used as an additional biocontrol agent against the vectors of dengue and filarial fever.