Open AccessExperimental evaluation of Odonata nymph in the biocontrol of schistosomiasis intermediate hosts
Author(s) -
Aly Younes,
Hanaa El-Sherief,
Fathia A. Gawish,
Mohamed Mahmoud
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
asian pacific journal of tropical biomedicine/asian pacific journal of tropical biomedicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.507
H-Index - 61
eISSN - 2588-9222
pISSN - 2221-1691
DOI - 10.1016/j.apjtb.2016.10.006
Subject(s) - odonata , nymph , biological pest control , biology , schistosomiasis , ecology , zoology , persistence (discontinuity) , veterinary medicine , helminths , medicine , engineering , geotechnical engineering
ObjectiveTo evaluate the predatory potential of the Odonata nymph on freshwater snails that serve as intermediate hosts for Schistosoma species (Bulinus truncatus and Biomphalaria alexandrina).MethodsObservations on the searching, attacking and devouring of the two snail types with series of laboratory-based predation experiments, whose aims were to determine daily predation rate, differential predation, prey preference considering small-, medium- and large-sized snails were conducted.ResultsLaboratory evaluation revealed that, the Odonata nymph could kill and consume the two intermediate hosts. The number of snails consumed differed according to the snail type, size and density. The times taken for searching and handling times were dependent on the snail size, type and satiation of the predator. The predation rate varied also with respect to snail type, size and density. This study also evaluated that Odonata nymphs consumed more Bulinus truncatus than Biomphalaria alexandrina per unit time, and that there may be a preference for smaller than larger snails.ConclusionsAccording to our observation, the predator, Hemianax ephippiger nymph may be a suitable biocontrol agent in connection with Schistosoma intermediate hosts