[Pathogenic effect of 3 parasitic nematodes in Aedes aegypti larvae under laboratory conditions in Cuba].

The pathogenic effect of three parasitic nematodes, Romanomermis culicivorax Ross y Smith, 1976, Romanomermis iyengari Welch, 1964, and Strelkovimermis spiculatus Poinar and Camino, 1986, was evaluated at different application doses in larvae of Aedes aegypti. For each experimental unit, one hundred second instar larvae of this mosquitoe were infested with preparasites of the three nematode species in the following proportions: 3:1, 5:1, 10:1, 15:1 and 20:1. Both infestation mean and parasitism rate increased as the doses augmented.

[Macrocyclops albidus (Copepoda: Cyclopidae): a new alternative for the control of mosquito larvae in Cuba].

The cyclopoid copepod Macrocyclops albidus was evaluated as a biological control agent of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae, culicides that frequently live in containers of domestic use in urban zones. The experiments were made under controlled laboratory conditions. Plastic containers with 5 L of dechlorinated water and 3 g of dry leaves were used.

[Methodology for assessing the potential and the depredating capacity of larvivorous fish by direct observations in the laboratory].

Based on practical experiences, it was presented the way to assess the potential and the depredating capacity of mosquito larvae by direct observations in the laboratory, using fish. The objective is to facilitate a methodology that allows to know about the behavior of those vertebrates in the presence of the immature stages of the hematophagous diptera in different water bodies.

[Some ecological aspects of larvivorous fish existing in Cayo Santa María, Cuba].

One thousand and three hundred twenty one fish from Cyprinodon variegatus, Gambusia punticulata, Fundulus grandis saguanus. Cubanichthys cubensis y Girardinus metallicus were collected for the purpose of locating and identifying fish of interest in the control of mosquito larvae in Cayo Santa Maria, Villa Clara province. Ecological indexes such as diversity (H') and equity (J') were estimated through a program named BIODIVERSITY Pro v2 and also the contents in the stomach of 341 specimens (25,81%) of the total was analyzed.

[Pathogenic effect of the parasite nematode Strelkovimermmis spiculatus (Nematoda Mermithidae) in larvae of mosquito Culex quinquesfasciatus (Diptera Culicidae) under laboratory conditions in Cuba].

The infective capacity of Strelkovimermis spiculatus Poinar and Camino, 1986, was evaluated under laboratory conditions for the first time in Cuba in order to introduce it as a new agent of biological control of mosquitoes of medical and epidemiological importance. The second stage larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus Say, 1823, were used and exposed to the infective juvenile parasites at different doses. It was observed a rise in the mean values of infestation and in the mortality percentage with the dose increase.

[Studies on preadult and adult forms of Anopheles nuñeztovari (Díptera: Culicidae) Gabaldon 1940 in an originally malarial area in Mérida state, Venezuela].

Pre-adult and adult forms of Anopheles nuñeztovari were studied and some variables of larval breeding from females captured and fed on human bait were described. The production of adult anopheles was 46,5% together with sufficient number of larvae to carry out any bioassay for studies of antilarval methods. The entomological evaluation of adults revealed that Anohpheles nuñeztovari predominance was 65% over other anopheles existing in the area, with a blood-sucking activity covering the whole night while peaks are reached near midnight.

[Ingestion of Culex quinquefasciatus larvae (Diptera: Culicidae) by Girardinus metallicus (Cyprinodontiformes: Poecilidae)].

Data on ingestion of Culex quinquefasciatus Say 1823 larvae by Girardinus metallicus, Poey 1854 under lab and field conditions were obtained and compared to those reported on the same species by other authors. It was observed that G. metallicus is not so aggressive as other species of larvivorus fish in capturing larvae.