Survival of the copepod Mesocyclops longisetus during simulations of transport from hatchery to target areas for biological control of mosquito larvae

By

Nunes-Silva, Aline
De Lima-Keppe, Isabela
De Souza, Robson V.
Perbiche-Neves, Gilmar

Type

Article

Date of Publication

2020-6-3

Original Publication

Zoologia

Volume

37

Pages

1--4

Subjects

Aedes aegypti , Copepoda , Culicidae , Density

Contributed by

Pensoft Publishers

Language

English

Published by

Curitiba, PR, Brasil Sociedade Brasileira de Zoologia [2009]-

Identifiers

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3897/zoologia.37.e37658

 

Abstract

Copepods have been successfully used in many countries for the biological control of larvae of mosquitoes that vector diseases. In Brazil, this line of research has been focused on the use of the copepod Mesocyclops longisetus (Thiébaud, 1914) for the biological control of the mosquito Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1792). The transportation of the copepods from the place where they are reared to where they will be used often involves long distances for extended periods of time. This study assesses the survivorship of M. longisetus during simulation of transport under different conditions. Different loading densities (20, 30, 40, 80, and 120 ind.L) and stirring times (30 minutes, one hour, two hours, and four hours) were tested. Survivorship was high, with 75% of the results equal or higher than 90% survival. Reduced mortality was observed when transportation time was up to 120 minutes and densities were up to 40 ind.L. In higher densities or longer transportation times, the mortality rate was significantly affected.