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Biological control of snail hosts transmitting schistosomiasis by the water bug, Sphaerodema urinator

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Abstract

The water bug, Sphaerodema urinator (Hemiptera : Belostomatidae), shares the same habitat of the freshwater snails in ponds, lakes, and streams. Studies conducted in lakes show that fish and crayfish predators play an important role in determining the abundance of freshwater snails. In contrast, shallow ponds and marches often lack fish and crayfish but have abundant insect predators. This study has been carried out to evaluate the predatory potential of S. urinator adult on two freshwater snails that serves as intermediate hosts of Schistosoma. Laboratory evaluation of predation by S. urinator on these intermediate hosts revealed that the adult bug could kill and consume the two intermediate hosts: Bulinus truncatus and Biomphalaria alexandrina. The number of snails consumed differed according to the snail type, size, and density. The times taken for searching and handling times were depending on the snail size, type, and vulnerability of the predator. The predation rate varied also with respect to snail type and density. Prey size is a major factor influencing predator preferences. This study indicated that the predator, S. urinator, may be a suitable bio-control agent in connection with Schistosoma intermediate hosts in the aquatic area.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt

    Aly Younes & Hanaa El-Sherief

  2. Department of Medical Malacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt

    Fathia Gawish & Marwa Mahmoud

Authors
  1. Aly Younes
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  2. Hanaa El-Sherief
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  3. Fathia Gawish
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  4. Marwa Mahmoud
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Correspondence to Aly Younes.

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Younes, A., El-Sherief, H., Gawish, F. et al. Biological control of snail hosts transmitting schistosomiasis by the water bug, Sphaerodema urinator . Parasitol Res 116, 1257–1264 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-017-5402-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-017-5402-5

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