LARVAL EATING CAPACITY OF INDIGENOUS LARVIVOROUS FISHES AGAINST LARVAE OF CULEX QUINQUEFASCIATUS SAY IN FIELD OPERATIONAL CONDITIONS IN MONO DEPARTMENT IN SOUTH-WESTERN REPUBLIC OF BENIN, WEST AFRICA

Abstract

Because of problems with insecticide resistance, alternative vector control methods are necessary. These methods include the use of biological control agents, such as larvivorous fishes. This study aimed to study larval eating capacity of indigenous larvivorous fishes against larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus Say in field operational conditions in Mono department in south-western Republic of Benin, West Africa. Alive local Clarias gariepinus fish and alive exotic fish adapted to local life conditions Oreochromis mossambicus were bought immediately once catched and carried by car from Agricultural Technical Lyceum of Adjahonmè to two districts which were Lokossa and Comè. Field operational evaluation for larvivorous efficacy was conducted with unfed fishes weighed 30g, 40g and 50g respectively and in swamp water in Lokossa district and pond water in Comè district. The results showed that after the introduction of Clarias gariepinus fishes of 30g, 40g and 50g respectively in the swamp water, the larval eating capacity of these fishes when they measured 30g was the highest. In similar way, after the introduction of Oreochromis mossambicus fishes of 30g, 40g and 50g respectively in the pond water, the larval eating capacity of these fishes when they measured 40g was the highest. Good results were obtained in field operational conditions regarding the use of the larvivorous fishes against larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus in Mono department in the current study.