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

today.

He hoped other local authorities would follow suit to undertake the same

approach.

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MOSQUITO-TOXORHYNCHITES 2 (LAST) KUANTAN

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.

-- BERNAMA

ZAF MS ELM JS