Resumen

MENENDEZ DIAZ, Zulema et al. Evaluation of Macrocyclops albidus (J.) for the  Aedes aegypti  (L.) larval control under laboratory conditions in Cuba. Rev Cubana Med Trop [online]. 2004, vol.56, n.3, pp. 227-229. ISSN 1561-3054.

With the purpose of evaluating the predatory capacity of cyclopoid copepods on larvae of Aedes aegypti (L.), collections were made in four localities of the country. The specimens were identified as Macrocyclops albidus (J.) (Copepoda: Cyclopoida). Under laboratory conditions, the predatory capacity of a copepod was evaluated after 24 hours on 50 larvae newly hatched in Petri´s plates. Different copepods densities were also tested (25, 50, 100) on 300 larvae in plastic recipients. Ma. albidus showed to be an active predator of Ae. aegypti larvae with a predatory mean of 23.51 at 24 hours. The density of 25 copepods for recipient was insufficient to achieve a good control with high larvae densities (mean larvae survival = 20.9). A significant reduction of larvae was achieved (survival mean = 7) with 50 copepods by Duncan´s test (p <0.01). It was demonstrated that 100 copepods was enough to depredate almost the totality of the larvae with a mean = 1.4. Further studies were recommended to evaluate the effectiveness of the copepods as agents of biological control under natural conditions.

Palabras clave : Biological control; copepods; Macrocyclops albidus; Aedes aegypti; predatory capacity.

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