The Utilization of Aquatic Plants as Aids in Mosquito Control

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Abstract
An historical account of the relation of aquatic plants to mosquito breeding is presented under the headings: (1) predacious plants ( Utricularia vulgaris); (2) surface covering plants (Azollafuliculoides, Azollaap., Lemna minor, L. palustris, L. polyrrhiza, Wollfia arhiza, W. punctata); (3) Non-surface-loving plants (Chara foetida, C. fragilis, Chara spp.); (4) Other aquatic plants (Pistia stratiotes, Myrionphyllum brasiliense, Elodea canadensis). The relative efficiency of these plants in practical mosquito control is discussed. Experimental data and field observations are presented in the case of U. vulgaris, C. fragilis, Chara spp., E. canadensis, W. punctata and L. minor. In a number of experiments where cylinders containing 59 larvae of Culex spp. were oxygenated with a steady stream of minute O bubbles all the larvae were killed in approximately 3-4 days. Whether the lethal effect of certain aquatic plants is due to large quantities of minute bubbles of O produced photo-synthetically remains unsolved.

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