Predatory Potential of Bradinopygageminata (Rambur) Nymph on Mosquito Larvae Under Laboratory Condition

Predatory potential of Bradinopyga geminata on mosquito larvae was investigated under laboratory condition at AINP on Agricultural Ornithology, AAU, Anand (Gujarat) during 2013. B. geminata nymph-an aquatic predator consumed highest number of the larvae ofAnopheles (24.20) followed by Aedes (16.89) and Culex (13.19) larvae. The prey numbers consumed by each dragonfly species were significantly different. The mean biomass consumption of B. geminata nymph on Aedes (32.79 mg), Anopheles (31.87 mg) and Culex (30.64 mg) larvae was almost equal. Irrespective of prey species, there was no significant difference in the consumption of total biomass. B. geminata nymph had maximum consumption rate (%) against Anopheles (80.67%), followed by Aedes (56.30%) and Culex (43.97%) larvae. Predatory impact of B. geminata nymph on the smaller size mosquito larvae was more (8.96) as compared to large size mosquito larvae. The clearance rate (CR) of B. geminata nymph on various species of mosquito larvae ranged between 1.29 and 1.59 which remained constant throughout 10 days period. B. geminata is important biocontrol agent of mosquitoes.