Abstract
MUCH has already been written on the control of mosquitoes in India by introducing larvi-cidal fishes, and the researches of Hora and Nair resulted in successfully freeing the valve chambers of the Pulta Pumping Station of mosquito larvae by introducing the killifish, Aplocheilus panchax. It was, however, still a vexed question as to whether this fish feeds preferably on mosquito larvae in natural conditions. An interesting paper by T. J. Job1, based on detailed experiments, shows that this fish is definitely of great practical utility in anti-mosquito campaigns. The efficiency of Aplocheilus panchax in mosquito control has been studied by estimating: (a) the mosquito ratio in its diet, (b) the extent of check exercised by the fish in natural pieces of water, and (c) the effect, in the field, of introducing and of withdrawing the fish.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 51 print issues and online access
$199.00 per year
only $3.90 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Efficiency of the Killiflsh Aplocheilus panchax (Hamilton) in the Control of Mosquitoes. By T. J. Job, Proc. Nat. Inst. Sci. India, 7, No. 3 (1941).
"Food and Feeding Habits of the Glassflshes (Ambassis Cuv. and Val) and their Bearing on the Biological Control of the Guinea-worm and Malaria", by T. J. Job, Indian J. Med. Research, 29, No. 4 (1941)
"Life History and Bionomics of the Spiny Eel, Mastacembelus pancalus (Hamilton), with Notes on the Systematics of the Mastacelidae", by T. J. Job, Rec. Ind. Mus., 48, Part II (1941).
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
INDIAN FISHES AND MOSQUITO CONTROL. Nature 149, 644–645 (1942). https://doi.org/10.1038/149644a0
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/149644a0
Comments
By submitting a comment you agree to abide by our Terms and Community Guidelines. If you find something abusive or that does not comply with our terms or guidelines please flag it as inappropriate.
