A METHOD FOR EVALUATING THE EFFICACY OF A SINGLE BIOAGENT ON THREE SPECIES OF MOSQUITO LAREES

Abstract

The most significant vector for transmission is mosquitoes. Numerous parasites and viruses that cause illness are capable of being
carried by it. Diseases such as dengue fever, dengue hemorrhagic fever, malaria, Japanese encephalitis, and filariasis are transmitted
by a number of species of the genera Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex. In India, Anopheles stephensi is an important vector for malaria.
Malaria continues to be a major public health concern, with an estimated 300–500 million cases each year. Nearly 40% of humanity
lives in regions where malaria is a common problem. Lymphatic filariasis's vector, Culex quinquefasciatus, is prevalent in tropical
regions; an estimated 120 million individuals are infected globally, with 44 million experiencing a common chronic form. It is
recognized that Aedes aegypti carries dengue. This research included Aedes aegypti, Anopheles stephensi, and Culex
quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, which are known to have three distinct species. The three distinct mosquito larvae were chosen
according to their instar numbers: 2, 3, and 4. Researchers selected Diplonychus indicus nymphs of the III, IV, and V instars, as well
as male and female, to examine the species' predatory abilities and food preferences. Because Diplonychus indicus is known to
exhibit a selective feeding behavior toward mosquito larvae, it was effective in destroying three distinct types of mosquito larvae. In
addition to the predators (Diplonychus indicus) that were part of the experiment as a whole, the most active stage of exposure to
Aedes aegypti during the fourth instar of larvae was compared to the dominating exposure in male predators. A predator's skill in
targeting specific prey populations is crucial to the efficacy of natural enemy biological control agents.