description
- Worldwide, the use of pesticides has increased more than ten-fold since the 1950s (Driesche and Bellows 1996). Many pesticides have been effective in controlling the target pests, but there are problems associated with their widespread use including pest control failures, development of resistant insecticide resistance, elimination of populations of beneficial organisms, contamination of the environment, damage to human health, and often very high costs. Although pesticides will be with us for the foreseeable future, an integrated approach to pest management is now considered essential, particularly in view of the challenges facing future generations in terms of human health and the world's food and energy supplies. Biological control is a fundamental part of integrated pest management programs. The cyclopoid copepod Macrocyclops albidus (Jurine) is being tested tested for biological control of mosquitoes in laboratory microcosms, in controlled field conditions, and in field experiment using discarded tires. This copepod species is a promising candidate for control of mosquito larvae because it is a widespread and highly effective predator that is capable of establishing and maintaining populations under a wide variety of field conditions. Additionally, M. albidus is relatively easy to culture, maintain, and deliver to the target areas. Future work will focus on performance testing of this and other species under different conditions and in different habitats.