EVERYDAY SCIENCE

Detailed explanation-1: -One of the most successful and widely used biological control agent against mosquito larvae is the top water minnow or mosquito fish Gambusia affinis. Fish other than Gambusia which has received the most attention as a mosquito control agent is Poecilia reticulata, the common guppy.

Detailed explanation-2: -The primary biological control we use is the mosquitofish, Gambusia affinis. The mosquito fish preys on mosquito larvae allowing us to keep mosquito populations under control.

Detailed explanation-3: -Mosquito fish (Gambusia affinis) are small freshwater fish that eat mosquito larvae. Controlling mosquito larvae is important because it limits the number of adult mosquitoes in the area. Adult female mosquitoes bite humans and animals and can spread diseases such as West Nile virus and many types of encephalitis.

Detailed explanation-4: -Gambusia feeds on larvae of insects. They also thrive in shallow and stagnant waters. Therefore, they are used as a mosquito control agent.

Detailed explanation-5: -Gambusia affinis The name “mosquitofish” was given because the fish eats mosquito larvae, and has been used more than any other fishes for the biological control of mosquitoes.