title: Vorticellasp: Prospective Mosquito Biocontrol Agent.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Considering the disadvantages of chemical insecticides, we aimed to evaluateVorticellaparasites for control of mosquito larvae ofAnopheles stephensiandAedes aegyptiat different larval stages.
  
  
  METHODS
  Vorticellasp infected mosquito larvae were crushed in the 0.85% saline and homogenized well to getVorticellain suspension. The effects ofVorticellasp infections on larval development were investigated by inoculating protozoan on different larval instars ofAn. stephensiandAe. aegyptiand observed under light microscope. Lethal time of theVorticellainfected larvae at different stages was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  First and 2ndlarval instars of bothAn. stephensiandAe. aegyptidid not show signs of infection byVorticellasp., whereas 3rdinstars ofAn. stephensishowed moreVorticellainfection than those ofAe. aegypti. However, 4thlarval instars of both mosquitoes were heavily infected withVorticellaparasite which was responsible for sluggish movements of larvae and eventually death. Moreover, parasites (Vorticellaspp) were responsible for more than 90% reduction in adult emergence for both infectedAn. stephensiandAe. aegypti.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides insights for mosquito larvicidal action of surface parasiteVorticellaon different larval stages ofAn. stephensiandAe. Aegypti. It could be suggested as a potential candidate in mosquito biocontrol programs.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Chandrashekhar Devidas
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Patil
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Chandrakant Prakash
authors.initials: CP
authors.lastname: Narkhede
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Rahul Khushal
authors.initials: RK
authors.lastname: Suryawanshi
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, North Maharashtra University, Jalgaon, Maharashtra, India.
authors.forename: Satish Vitthal
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Patil
keywords: Aedes aegypti; Anopheles stephensi; Biocontrol; Vorticella