Toxorhynchites as biocontrol agents.

ABSTRACT

Toxorhynchites is an unusual and interesting genus of large, non-biting mosquitoes. In spite of their size, they are--like many species of mosquitoes--completely harmless to man. The larvae are predaceous on other mosquitoes and aquatic organisms that inhabit both natural and artificial containers. Because this habitat is the source of several medically important species of mosquitoes, there is warrant for evaluating the potential of Toxorhynchites as a biological control agent under various conditions. Toxorhynchites is not seen as a panacea for the control of all container-inhabiting mosquitoes. However, it has demonstrated practical potential in certain restricted but important situations.