Utilização de peixes larvófagos para o controle das formas imaturas do A. aegypti em depósitos domiciliares de água

Abstract

Dengue remains an important public health problem and the main control strategy employed remains the use of larvicides against the immature forms its principal vector , the mosquito Aedes aegypti. Because of limitations with the use of these larvicides is important to search for other alternatives control. The use of larvivorous fish, such as biological control mechanism, has been encouraged in the world and thus the objective of this study was to evaluate the oviposition behavior of pregnant females of Aedes aegypti in the presence of larvivorous fish and usability in consortium with larvicides recommended by the Program National Control Dengue (PNCD). Was adapted formula Kramer and Mulla (1979) for calculation of Oviposition Activity Index (OAI), with three different situations. We tested three species of fish (Betta splendens , Trichogaster tricopterus and Poecilia reticulata) and three different larvicides (Bti , novaluron and temefos). To determine the repellency use a cage with a volume of 6m3, where drums were placed nine with 70 liters of water. Three barrels were placed in water only (control), one in three other fish and other three larvicides to be tested. After a week the mosquitoes put this cage eggs were removed and counted with the aid of a microscope entomological. Each association fish / larvicide was repeated 5 times for a total of 30 experiments. To evaluate the survival of fish we used 15 water tanks with 250 liters of water. In 10 cases the fish was placed with its larvicide to be tested and in five, only the fish (control). Each association fish / larvicide was repeated 4 times. Fish T. tricopterus and P. reticulata showed no influence on oviposition activity of females of A. aegypti, the same happening with the larvicide temefos and novaluron. Already the fish B. splendens showed repellency to oviposition while the larvicide Bti attracted posture on the part of pregnant females. All fish survived the evaluated recommended larvicides PNCD, suggesting feasible to use in consortium programs in integrated vector control.