Predators of <I>Anopheles gambiae</I> sensu lato (Diptera: Culicidae) Larvae in Wetlands, Western Kenya: Confirmation by Polymerase Chain Reaction Method

Abstract

Abstract. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) analysis was performed to determine whether mosquito predators in wetland habitats feed on Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) larvae. Aquatic mosquito predators were collected from six wetlands near Lake Victoria in Mbita, Western Kenya. This study revealed that the whole positive rate of An. gambiae s.l. from 330 predators was 54.2%. The order of positive rate was the highest in Odonata (70.2%), followed by Hemiptera (62.8%), Amphibia (41.7%), and Coleoptera (18%). The study demonstrates that the PCR method can determine whether aquatic mosquito predators feed on An. gambiae s.l. larvae if the predators have undigested An. gambiae s.l. in their midgut or stomach.

The diversity of feeding habits recorded for water boatmen (Heteroptera: Corixoidea) world-wide with implications for evaluating information on the diet of aquatic insects

“…The fi rst good evidence for consumption of mosquito larvae by tropical Micronecta spp. (body length usually 2-4 mm), obtained using PCR analysis of their gut contents, has recently been published (Ohba et al, 2010(Ohba et al, , 2011; it is also is in accordance with laboratory observations (Amrapala et al, 2009). However, observations of Micronecta consuming algae and detritus also exist (Fernando & Leong, 1963;Li & Zou, 2005).…”

“…A DNA-analysis of the gut contents of Micronecta spp. from Vietnam and Kenya using PCR also provides evidence for the consumption of mosquito larvae (Aedes, Anopheles) (Ohba et al, 2010(Ohba et al, , 2011.…”

“…Available information on the diet, behaviour, functional morphology and breeding of Cymatiainae justify an assignment to the predator guild. To improve our knowledge on the alimentation of Corixoidea in particular and aquatic insects in general, analysis of functional morphology, gut contents (serological and/or DNA-based methods) should be used to identify the food consumed under natural conditions (Ohba et al, 2010(Ohba et al, , 2011Klimaszewski et al, 2013), with subsequent evaluation of the results and determination of the nutritional value of the food consumed in laboratory breeding experiments. Table 3.…”

“…Several studies underpin the potential value of the Nepomorpha as mosquito control agents (Darriet & Hougard, 1993;Ohba & Nakasuji, 2006;Saha et al, 2007;Sivagnaname, 2009). DNA-examinations of the gut contents of invertebrate and vertebrate taxa in Kenyan wetlands revealed Nepomorpha being more effi cient than amphibians in reducing mosquitoes of human importance (Ohba et al, 2010). The role of Corixoidea as primary consumers is, however, widely unknown.…”

Mosquitoes and Their Potential Predators In Rice Agroecosystems of the Mekong Delta, Southern Vietnam

“…More than 60% of Hemiptera confirmed by polymerase chain reaction showed a positive detection rate for mosquito DNA, indicating that they fed on mosquito larvae in wetlands in western Kenya (Ohba et al 2010). We did not confirm the feeding of Hemiptera on mosquito larvae in rice ecosystems in Vietnam; they may eat mosquito larvae.…”