THE EFFICACY OF MICRONECTIDAE AS BIOLOGICAL CONTROL OF MOSQUITO IN URBAN AREAS

Deterioration of water quality or even entrapment of water in specific structures in urban areas is affecting population diversity in the ecosystem. Consequently, many pest species may proliferate beyond the control of Mother Nature. One such well-known species and also a dengue virus-transmitting vector is Aedes mosquito which causes fatality to 12000 people world wide and infects more than 50 million people per year. Commonly, current practices of mosquito control are by chemical approach and high-cost technology. The ecosystem is facing imbalance because the natural control itself was left for granted. This paper represents a study of an alternative control by using biological approach. Micronectidae, an order of aquatic insect of class Heteroptera was chosen to be used in this control due to its larvivorous characteristic.