title: Control of larval Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae) by cyclopoid copepods in peridomestic breeding containers.
abstract: Mesocyclops longisetus (Thiébaud), Mesocyclops thermocyclopoides Harada, Mesocyclops venezolanus Dussart, and Macrocyclops albidus (Jurine) were tested for their effectiveness in controlling Aedes aegypti (L.) larvae in a variety of containers around homes in El Progreso, Honduras. All four cyclopoid species killed > 20 larvae per cyclopoid per d under container conditions. M. longisetus was most effective, not only because it was the most voracious predator, but also because it survived best in the containers. M. longisetus maintained long-term populations in 200-liter drums, tires, vases, and cement tanks (without drains), providing the cyclopoids were not dried or poured out. M. longisetus reduced third- and fourth-instar Ae. aegypti larvae by > 98% compared with control containers without cyclopoids. M. longisetus should be of practical value for community-based Ae. aegypti control if appropriate attention is directed to maintaining it in containers after introduction.
authors.affiliation: División de Enfermedades de Transmisión Vectorial, Ministerio de Salud Pública de Honduras, Tegucigalpa.
authors.forename: G G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Marten
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Borjas
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Cush
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Fernandez
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Reid
mesh_terms: D000330:Aedes; D000818:Animals; D003445:Crustacea / Q000502:physiology*; D005069:Evaluation Studies as Topic; D006721:Honduras; D007814:Larva; D010572:Pest Control, Biological / Q000379:methods*