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Background <p>Malaria remains a major health challenge in sub-Saharan African countries, including Malawi. Insecticides resistance is a significant challenge to malaria vector control. In Malawi, larval source management (LSM) is promoted as a supplementary malaria vector control strategy. However, biological control using larvivorous fish, which has proven effective in other countries, is not practiced due to lack of information to guide the application of native larvivorous fish in biological mosquito control. This study was conducted to assess the larvivorous potential of native <i>Metriaclima callainos</i> and <i>Cynotilapia afra</i> on susceptible <i>Anopheles gambiae </i>sensu stricto (Kisumu strain) mosquito larvae under laboratory conditions.</p> Methods <p>A 24&#xa0;h bioassay was conducted to assess predation rate on fourth instar larvae of <i>An. gambiae</i>. Secondly, the predation on 4th instar larvae was assessed in the absence and presence of alternative fish feeds (zooplanktons and fish flakes). Thereafter, fish predation on the second, fourth larval instars and pupae stage of <i>An. gambiae</i> was assessed.</p> Results <p>In a 24-h bioassay, <i>M. callainos</i> consumed 883.4 ± 66.7 <i>An. gambiae</i> larvae while <i>C. afra</i> consumed 247.5 ± 25.2 <i>An. gambiae</i> larvae. The presence of alternative fish feeds had no significant effect on larvae consumption by the two fish species. <i>Metriaclima callainos</i> preferred fourth-instar larvae and pupae over second-instar larvae, while <i>C. afra</i> preyed equally on all three developmental stages of mosquitoes.</p> Conclusion <p>Under laboratory conditions, the two Lake Malawi cichlids, <i>M. callainos</i> and <i>C. afra</i> demonstrated high larvivorous potential<i>.</i> This study provides first documentation and knowledge on the presence of potential larvivorous fish in Lake Malawi and further studies should focus on assessing their predation in the natural environment.</p>

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Larvivorous potential of Metriaclima callainos and Cynotilapia afra as biological agents for mosquito control

  • 期刊论文

  • 出版模式：

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  • 发表日期：

    2025年10月9日

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  • Watson Mbizi,
  • Themba Mzilahowa,
  • Gilson Njunga,
  • Moses Lackson,
  • Martin Chiumia,
  • Wilson W. L. Jere

摘要

Background

Malaria remains a major health challenge in sub-Saharan African countries, including Malawi. Insecticides resistance is a significant challenge to malaria vector control. In Malawi, larval source management (LSM) is promoted as a supplementary malaria vector control strategy. However, biological control using larvivorous fish, which has proven effective in other countries, is not practiced due to lack of information to guide the application of native larvivorous fish in biological mosquito control. This study was conducted to assess the larvivorous potential of native Metriaclima callainos and Cynotilapia afra on susceptible Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (Kisumu strain) mosquito larvae under laboratory conditions.

Methods

A 24 h bioassay was conducted to assess predation rate on fourth instar larvae of An. gambiae. Secondly, the predation on 4th instar larvae was assessed in the absence and presence of alternative fish feeds (zooplanktons and fish flakes). Thereafter, fish predation on the second, fourth larval instars and pupae stage of An. gambiae was assessed.

Results

In a 24-h bioassay, M. callainos consumed 883.4 ± 66.7 An. gambiae larvae while C. afra consumed 247.5 ± 25.2 An. gambiae larvae. The presence of alternative fish feeds had no significant effect on larvae consumption by the two fish species. Metriaclima callainos preferred fourth-instar larvae and pupae over second-instar larvae, while C. afra preyed equally on all three developmental stages of mosquitoes.

Conclusion

Under laboratory conditions, the two Lake Malawi cichlids, M. callainos and C. afra demonstrated high larvivorous potential. This study provides first documentation and knowledge on the presence of potential larvivorous fish in Lake Malawi and further studies should focus on assessing their predation in the natural environment.