In the ongoing battle against disease-transmitting mosquitoes, researchers from Argentina’s INTA and CONICET have uncovered a promising strategy: leveraging native species of shrimp and fish to naturally control mosquito populations in urban and peri-urban areas. The initiative aims not only to mitigate the nuisance caused by mosquitoes but also to curb the spread of deadly diseases such as malaria, dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika.

Natural Predators: A Weapon Against Mosquitoes

Ariel Belavi, INTA’s national aquaculture reference, highlights the efficacy of native fish species like Australoheros facetus in devouring mosquito larvae. Known colloquially as chanchita, castañeta, cará, or chata, these fish can consume over 500 mosquito larvae in a single day, making them formidable natural enemies of mosquitoes and invaluable biological controllers.

Joining the ranks of mosquito hunters are native crustaceans such as the river shrimp (Macrobrachium borellii) and the ghost shrimp (Palaemon argentinus). Pablo Collins, a researcher from CONICET, underscores the importance of these shrimp species in controlling mosquito larvae and pupae, particularly species known for disease transmission like Aedes sp, Anopheles sp, and Culex sp.

Environmental Adaptability and Feeding Habits

These native species exhibit remarkable adaptability, thriving in various freshwater environments throughout central South America. Unlike some shrimp species that migrate to marine environments for reproduction, river shrimp and ghost shrimp reproduce exclusively in freshwater habitats. Their omnivorous diet, encompassing trophic resources from the bottom of water bodies to aquatic vegetation, enables them to consume up to 40 larvae per day, with population densities in natural environments reaching up to 500 specimens per square meter.

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that mosquito-borne diseases claim approximately 700,000 lives annually, underscoring the urgent need for effective control measures. Collins emphasizes the significance of mosquitoes from the Culicidae family, particularly genera like Aedes sp, Anopheles sp, and Culex sp, which pose significant health risks due to their potential to transmit diseases.

Targeting Mosquito Habitats

Mosquitoes breed in stagnant water, including household containers, puddles, and shallow aquatic environments with minimal movement. By targeting these breeding grounds with natural predators during both aquatic and terrestrial phases of the mosquito life cycle, researchers aim to disrupt mosquito populations at critical stages of development.