Impact of the entomophilic digenean Plagiorchis noblei (Trematoda: Plagiorchiidae) on the survival of Aedes provocans under field conditions.
Under field conditions, exposure of Aedes provocans to Plagiorchis noblei cercariae reduced the number of pupae produced to about one-third of control values. Larvae bearing more than 2 metacercariae rarely survived, and pupal mortality was almost 3 times higher among exposed individuals than controls. Adult females exposed to cercariae as pre-imagos experienced a 32% reduction in longevity. The life span of males was not affected. The potential of entomophilic digeneans as biological agents in the control of mosquitoes is discussed.
Rau
M E
ME
Institute of Parasitology of McGill University, Macdonald College, Ste-Anne-de-Bellevue, QC, Canada.
Ahmed
S S
SS
Lewis
D J
DJ
D000330:Aedes / Q000469:parasitology; D000818:Animals; D007814:Larva; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods; D011679:Pupa; D014200:Trematoda