Abstract
This chapter revealed the efficacy of three predominant dragonfly species found in a natural population where the survey of mosquito population was conducted. Nymphs of dragonflies belonging to family Libellulidae, Neurothemis fluctuans, Orthetrum sabina, and Orthetrum chrysis, were used as predators on the IV instar of mosquito larvae, Aedes albopictus, Aedes aegypti, and Culex quinquefasciatus. The daily feeding rates varied among predators and mosquito species. The mean numbers of mosquito larvae consumed by the predators were different between the mosquito species. Aedes aegypti was the most preferred prey for Orthetrum sabina and Neurothemis fluctuans. However, Orthetrum chrysis consumed more of Culex quinquefasciatus in contrast to other prey species. Feeding activities peaked during light-on in contrast to light-off. The results of variation factors that influenced the predation activities were significant and further discussed in this chapter. The factors that were assessed in the experiments included the water volume, predator species, predator density, and prey density and species. This chapter lends support to the potential use of Odonata species as an eco-friendly method of mosquito population eradication.
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Acknowledgments
We would like to thank the Institute of Medical Research for the mosquito larvae used in the experimentation, the Putrajaya Health Office and Kuala Selangor Health Office for sampling area permissions, and Mr. Mohaiyyidin who assisted in the fieldwork. This project was funded by UMRG grant RG209-13SUS and IPPP grants PS209/2009C and PV065/2011B.
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Norma-Rashid, Y., Saleeza, S.N.R. (2014). Eco-friendly Control of Three Common Mosquito Larvae Species by Odonata Nymphs. In: Sahayaraj, K. (eds) Basic and Applied Aspects of Biopesticides. Springer, New Delhi. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-81-322-1877-7_13
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