Which predatory mosquito has been used to control artificial container and tree-hole species and is not harmful to humans?

Which predatory mosquito has been used to control artificial container and tree-hole species and is not harmful to humans?

• A. Toxorhynchites
• B. Aedes
• C. Ochlerotatus
• D. Psorophora

Answer: (A)

The key idea is biological control through predation by mosquito larvae. Toxorhynchites offspring are predatory as larvae, feeding on the larvae of other mosquito species that occupy artificial containers and tree-hole habitats. This reduces populations of nuisance and disease-bearing mosquitoes in those exact environments. Importantly, adult Toxorhynchites do not bite humans, so they’re not harmful to people and don’t pose the risks that biting species do. That combination—larval predation of other mosquitoes and non-biting adults—makes this genus the best fit for controlling container- and tree-hole–breeding mosquitoes. The other genera listed are typically biting mosquitoes and do not exhibit larval predation on other mosquito species, so they aren’t used in this predatory biocontrol role.

The key idea is biological control through predation by mosquito larvae. Toxorhynchites offspring are predatory as larvae, feeding on the larvae of other mosquito species that occupy artificial containers and tree-hole habitats. This reduces populations of nuisance and disease-bearing mosquitoes in those exact environments. Importantly, adult Toxorhynchites do not bite humans, so they’re not harmful to people and don’t pose the risks that biting species do. That combination—larval predation of other mosquitoes and non-biting adults—makes this genus the best fit for controlling container- and tree-hole–breeding mosquitoes. The other genera listed are typically biting mosquitoes and do not exhibit larval predation on other mosquito species, so they aren’t used in this predatory biocontrol role.