Predatory behavior and potentiality of Toxorhynchites spp. (Diptera: Culicidae) against Aedes mosquito

Toxorhynchites mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae), also known as elephant mosquitoes or mosquito eaters, are the largest mosquitoes globally and do not bite humans but prey on other mosquito larvae. We used a dipping and pipetting methods to collect larvae of Toxorhynchites spp. and Aedes mosquitoes from discarded tires. In a laboratory study, we investigated how container type, water volume, and depth affect the predation behavior of Toxorhynchites spp., and we also examined its predation efficiency during both day and night. Our research revealed that an individual Toxorhynchites spp. larva can consume up to 45 Aedes larvae, with mean predation of 25.18 (+/- 9.35) larvae in 24 h. Interestingly, predation rates and impacts remained consistent regardless of container type, water volume, or depth. While predation was more active during the day, there were no significant differences between daytime and nighttime predation abilities. These findings highlight Toxorhynchites spp. larvae as a promising biological control agent for mosquito management in various settings, independent of seasonal or light conditions, especially for the Aedes spp.