Sphaerodema urinator duforas (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae) as a predator of fasciola intermediate host, lymnaea natalensis krauss

Bibliographic Information
Authors: Younes A.A.; Hanaa E.-S.; Fathia G.; Marwa M.
Journal: Egyptian Journal of Biological Pest Control
Publisher: Egyptian Society for Biological Control of Pests
Publication Date: 2016
Volume / Issue: Volume 26 / Issue 2
Pages: 191–196
ISSN: 11101768
Scopus: View on Scopus
Document Type: Article
Authors and Affiliations
Younes A.A., Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; Hanaa E.-S., Department of Entomology, Faculty of Science, Cairo University, Giza, Egypt; Fathia G., Department of Medical Malacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt; Marwa M., Department of Medical Malacology, Theodor Bilharz Research Institute, Giza, Egypt
Abstract
The water bug Sphaerodema urinator Duforas (Hemiptera: Belostomatidae), inhabits lakes, ponds, marches and rice fields, was found to predate on a wide range of other aquatic organisms like insects and snails. To evaluate the predatory potential on the Fasciola intermediate host, Lymnaea natalensis Krauss snail, laboratory studies involved searching; encounter, consumption and prey preference were achieved. Obtained results indicated that the searching time of the predator ranged between 3.4±0.5 to 7.8±0.9 min and handling time ranged between 18.8±1.01 to 25±1.0 min, depending on the snail size and the predator vulnerability. The adult water bug could kill and consume small-, medium- and large-sized snails. Number of snails consumed/ day differed according to their size and density. Preference experiments showed that the adult predator prefers small size snails than medium or large ones. This study suggested that the predator, S. urinator may be potentially suitable as a bio-control agent against Fasciola intermediate host, L. natalensis. © 2016 Egyptian Society for Biological Control of Pests. All rights reserved.
Keywords
Fasciola; Intermediate host; Predator; Snail; Sphaerodema urinator
Citation Information
Scopus Citations: 5
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