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Dragonflies and damselflies can provide effective biological control of mosquitoes

  • Tharaka
  • Jun 6, 2023
  • 2 min read

Mosquitoes pose a significant threat to human lives as they transmit deadly diseases. Each year, over a million people succumb to mosquito-borne illnesses, while countless others suffer. While conventional methods of mosquito control involve chemical insecticides, they come at a high cost to the environment and non-target organisms. In this new study, we explored an ecologically friendly and cost-effective alternative: utilizing dragonflies and damselflies as biological control agents.


To combat the spread of mosquito-borne diseases, vector control plays a crucial role. Instead of relying solely on chemicals, harnessing natural predators can offer a sustainable solution. Dragonfly and damselfly naiads (see Figure 1), known for their voracious appetite for mosquito larvae, have shown promise in controlling mosquito populations. To assess their effectiveness, we conducted a meta-analysis of primary studies across Asia, Africa, and South and North America.


Figure 1. A dragonfly naiad. ©Ishara H. Wijewardhane.


Our analysis mainly aimed to determine the average predation success of a single induvial dragonfly/damselfly naiad on various mosquito species. The results were astounding. On average, a single naiad was found to consume 40 mosquito larvae per day, resulting in a remarkable reduction of the mosquito larval population by 45% daily. The mosquito species targeted by the dragonfly and damselfly naiads were serious disease vectors such as Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex, all of which experienced significant suppression of their populations. More importantly, these dragonflies and damselflies are commonly found species across various landscapes, including urban-city environments. Overall, our findings provide robust evidence for the effectiveness of dragonflies and damselflies as biological control agents for mosquitoes. By conserving these beneficial predators, we can lower the risk of mosquito-borne diseases in an environmentally friendly and cost-effective manner. This is particularly crucial in conservation areas where chemical-based mosquito control methods pose risks to non-target organisms and overall environmental safety.


Read our paper published in the Journal of Animal Ecology, at https://besjournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/1365-2656.13965


Please cite our article as: Priyadarshana, T. S., & Slade, E. M. (2023). A meta-analysis reveals that dragonflies and damselflies can provide effective biological control of mosquitoes. Journal of Animal Ecology, 00, 1–12. https://doi.org/10.1111/1365-2656.13965

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