Toxorhynchites Can Reduce Aedes Mosquitos

KUANTAN, Dec 14 (Bernama) -- Toxorhynchites, a mosquito species of the larger kind can restrict the breeding of aedes mosquitoes responsible for spreading dengue, Local Government Department director general Datuk Halimi Abdul Manaf said.
This is possible as the larvae of Toxorhynchites consumes the larvae of the aedes mosquitoes, he said.
"Dengue is one of the world's biggest threats which kills more than 22,000 people every year.
"The Subang Jaya Municipal Council (SJMC) is collaborating with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM) to contain the threat by releasing Toxorhynchites," he told reporters after opening a local authority environmental health conference here Wednesday.
He hoped other local authorities would follow suit to undertake the same approach.
Meanwhile, SJMC health director Dr Roslan Mohamed Hussin said Toxorhynchites were first released in 2010 with the approval of the Health Ministry.
The process was carried out in two stages, with 200 pairs released each time, he said.
Dr Roslan said SJMC managed to reduce the threat in the municipality by 70 per cent this year.
"The Toxorhynchites do not suck blood, only the nectar of plants, aside from eating the aedes larvae," he assured.