Abstract
This paper reports the occurrence of Toxorhynchites splendens (Wiede-mann, 1819) larvae in some drains of Kolkata (Calcutta), India from 2000 to 2001, and the efficacy of its predation on larval Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus, 1762), Anopheles stephensi Liston, 1901, Armigeres subalbatus Coqullett, 1898 and Culex quinquefasciatus Say, 1823 in the laboratory. Tx. splendens larvae were found in all twelve months in two shaded drains with clear and still water, black sediments and accumulated leaves. In the laboratory experiments, Tx. spierndens fed on all of the 4 prey species larvae, and the predation rate depends on the stage of both predators and prey. The 1st and 3rd instars of Tx. splendens showed lowest and highest predation rate, respectively. Predation rate by any stage of Tx. splendens was highest in 1st instar larvae and lowest in 4th instar larvae of all prey species. The variations in consumption rate seemed to be related with the size of the prey larvae offered rather than to the preference for any species. This suggests that Tx. splendens could effectively be used in the biological control programme of mosquitoes in Kolkata, and field trials should be conducted using this species.
