16.2.1.1 Predators of Malaria Vectors
The main invertebrate predators of mosquito larvae are Toxorhynchites (Diptera:
Culicidae), Dytiscidae (Coleoptera), Belastomatidae (Hemiptera), Libellulidae and
Coenagrionidae (Odonata). Potential of the predators for reducing the mosquito
populations as natural regulators is highly varied with some ineffective predator
species. While their establishment in mosquito habitats (Service 1981) and successful mass rearing are quite challenging, their conservation is of main priority.
16.2.1.1.1 Larvivorous Fishes
Larvivorous fishes are the most famous and applicable predators of mosquito larvae.
Fish families recommended for biological control of mosquitoes are Cyprinidae,
Cyprinodontidae and Cichlidae (WHO 2013a). These predators have got more
attention among natural enemies of mosquito larvae to use in biological control
programs in Iran. Release of larvivorous fish, G. affinis, Carassius auratus
(Cyprinidae) in larval breeding sites integrated with other control tactics in
Kermanshah, Fars and Bushehr provinces, decreased the populations of Anopheles
larvae and malaria transmission dramatically in 1969 (Tabibzadeh et al. 1970).
Gambusia sp., A. dispar, C. auratus, Colisa lalia (Osphronemidae), Danio rerio
(Cyprinidae), Poecilia reticulata (Poeciliidae) and Oreochromis mossambica
(Cichlidae) are present in different regions of the land (Jafari et al. 2019). There
were three species of A. dispar, Aphanius sp. and Gambusia holbrooki mosquito fish
in southern Iran which seem to have important role in malaria vector control. Malaria
control in Iran by biological methods, included the highly successful method of
transporting fish in wooden barrels by trucks during the night. Gambusia sp. has
been used for mosquito control the last 40 years in Sistan and Baluchistan province
and A. dispar is active in Hormozgan and Kerman (Kahnouj) provinces (WHO
2003).
Tooth-carp fish, Aphanius spp. are among native larvivorous fish with ten known
species inside the genus in Iran (Shahi et al. 2015) which can live under diverse
ecological conditions from freshwater to marine ecosystems (Esmaeili and Shiva
2006). Conservation of A. dispar is more sensible strategy than introduction of
G. holbrooki as an alien species in mosquito breeding sites (Shahi et al. 2015).
G. affinis, native to Southeastern United States, is the best known larvivorous fish
(Bay et al. 1976). This fish is viviparous and does not possess any food or economic
value. It has been transplanted progressively to various countries. G. affinis was
introduced from Italy into the Ghazian marshes, Caspian littoral in Iran during
1922–1930. After solving initial technical problems, this fish was successfully
used in malaria eradication. After several years, this species was established through
the country (Jouladeh Roudbar et al. 2015).
Gambusia have been adapted to various climates and ecological conditions of the
south and the southeastern parts of Iran and act as a natural predator on mosquito
16 Biocontrol for Arthropods of Medical and Veterinary Importance in Iran
581
The main invertebrate predators of mosquito larvae are Toxorhynchites (Diptera:
Culicidae), Dytiscidae (Coleoptera), Belastomatidae (Hemiptera), Libellulidae and
Coenagrionidae (Odonata). Potential of the predators for reducing the mosquito
populations as natural regulators is highly varied with some ineffective predator
species. While their establishment in mosquito habitats (Service 1981) and successful mass rearing are quite challenging, their conservation is of main priority.
16.2.1.1.1 Larvivorous Fishes
Larvivorous fishes are the most famous and applicable predators of mosquito larvae.
Fish families recommended for biological control of mosquitoes are Cyprinidae,
Cyprinodontidae and Cichlidae (WHO 2013a). These predators have got more
attention among natural enemies of mosquito larvae to use in biological control
programs in Iran. Release of larvivorous fish, G. affinis, Carassius auratus
(Cyprinidae) in larval breeding sites integrated with other control tactics in
Kermanshah, Fars and Bushehr provinces, decreased the populations of Anopheles
larvae and malaria transmission dramatically in 1969 (Tabibzadeh et al. 1970).
Gambusia sp., A. dispar, C. auratus, Colisa lalia (Osphronemidae), Danio rerio
(Cyprinidae), Poecilia reticulata (Poeciliidae) and Oreochromis mossambica
(Cichlidae) are present in different regions of the land (Jafari et al. 2019). There
were three species of A. dispar, Aphanius sp. and Gambusia holbrooki mosquito fish
in southern Iran which seem to have important role in malaria vector control. Malaria
control in Iran by biological methods, included the highly successful method of
transporting fish in wooden barrels by trucks during the night. Gambusia sp. has
been used for mosquito control the last 40 years in Sistan and Baluchistan province
and A. dispar is active in Hormozgan and Kerman (Kahnouj) provinces (WHO
2003).
Tooth-carp fish, Aphanius spp. are among native larvivorous fish with ten known
species inside the genus in Iran (Shahi et al. 2015) which can live under diverse
ecological conditions from freshwater to marine ecosystems (Esmaeili and Shiva
2006). Conservation of A. dispar is more sensible strategy than introduction of
G. holbrooki as an alien species in mosquito breeding sites (Shahi et al. 2015).
G. affinis, native to Southeastern United States, is the best known larvivorous fish
(Bay et al. 1976). This fish is viviparous and does not possess any food or economic
value. It has been transplanted progressively to various countries. G. affinis was
introduced from Italy into the Ghazian marshes, Caspian littoral in Iran during
1922–1930. After solving initial technical problems, this fish was successfully
used in malaria eradication. After several years, this species was established through
the country (Jouladeh Roudbar et al. 2015).
Gambusia have been adapted to various climates and ecological conditions of the
south and the southeastern parts of Iran and act as a natural predator on mosquito
16 Biocontrol for Arthropods of Medical and Veterinary Importance in Iran
581