PREDATION OF AEDES AEGYPTI EGGS BY FORAGING ANTS SOLENOPSIS INVICTA, MYRMICARIA BRUNNEA, DIACAMMA RUGOSUM, AND MONOMORIUM MINIMUM

Abstract

The diseases transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes, such as dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika, are ever-increasing. Rapid and unplanned urbanization adversely impacts various endemic species such as ants and facilitates the breeding of Aedes mosquitoes. We have observed the predatory potential of ants over Aedes eggs in urban breeding habitats, and their impact on Aedes mosquito breeding was determined by a field experiment that mimicked the natural breeding habitats. It was found that 99.4% of eggs were removed from the experimental containers by foraging ants in 4 days. The present study demonstrates the role of ants as a natural regulator, limiting Aedes mosquito breeding.