Exploring the role of predators of mosquitoes and their larvae in the control of mosquito-borne diseases - A scoping review
My Master's Thesis
The following thesis (publication in progress) focuses on exploring nature-based solutions for controlling mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs), which are a significant global health concern according to the WHO. Traditional methods like insecticides and vaccines have limitations, such as environmental harm, while failing to address the root causes driving MBDs. This paper reviews the current state of research and the potential of introducing natural predators of mosquitoes and their larvae as a control strategy. It involves a scoping review of 92 sources, identifying various predators like fish, copepods, other mosquitoes, dragonflies, and more. The study highlights challenges in implementing this approach, including understanding complex ecosystem dynamics and potential risks to human health and food security due to increased wildlife contact or ecosystem imbalances.
ABSTRACT
According to the WHO, vector-borne diseases account for 17% of all infectious diseases resulting in 700,000 deaths each year. The global burden of mosquito-borne diseases (MBDs) is expected to increase dramatically in the near future. Insecticides are the most relied-upon methods to fight MBDs. Newly developed vaccines are a great tool in the arsenal against MBDs, however, vaccines address the consequences of the spread of MBDs, not its causes. The use of Wolbachia bacteria while promising is still in the research stages and environmental concerns need to be addressed. Current insecticide-centred practices result in collateral damage to the environment, predators of mosquitoes, and human health, as well as increasing insecticide resistance in mosquitos. Due to climate change, an increasing number of regions around the globe are anticipated to become conducive to mosquitoes and the illnesses they transmit. Consequently, there has been a growing interest in recent years in exploring the potential of nature-based solutions to address MBDs. This paper investigates the effectiveness of mosquito control through the introduction of predators of mosquitoes and their larvae through a scoping review of existing. 92 sources were examined for this review. The findings of the literature search indicate that the most researched predators for biological control roles are fish and copepods, followed by mosquitoes (Toxorhynchites) and dragonflies. Other organisms mentioned in the literature include flatworms, salamanders, geckoes, turtles, spiders, backswimmers, heteropteran insects, beetles, tadpoles, shrimps and the Bladderwort plant. Practical challenges to the introduction of predatory species include a lack of knowledge of complicated ecosystem dynamics, including climate, competing predators, and alternative prey. Poorly planned predator intruductions can disrupt the existing balance in ecosystems affecting non-target species and altering the makeup of the ecosystem itself. Lastly, biological control can pose a risk to human health, either through increased contact with wildlife, increasing the risk of transmitting disease, introducing insecticides into the food chain in IVM, or through threats to food security if agricultural practices are affected.
