The use of the copepod Mesocyclops longisetus as a biological control agent for Aedes aegypti in Cali, Colombia.

We present data on the efficacy of Mesocyclops longisetus as a biocontrol agent in controlling Aedes aegypti larvae in catch basins in Cali, Colombia. Additionally, we determined some of the features that facilitated the establishment of the copepods in catch basins. Between June 1999 and February 2000, 201 catch basins were treated with an average of 500 adult copepods. The copepods had established in 49.2% of all the basins and they maintained Ae. aegypti larvae at low densities until the end of the 8-month study. The corrected efficacy percent was 90.4%. The copepods established in basins located in a flat area as opposed to those in steep areas, exposed to sunlight and with 0-10% of floating organic matter. When the catch basins were contaminated with synthetic washing agents, like detergents, the copepods did not survive. The copepod M. longisetus could be incorporated as a biological control agent in an integrated Ae. aegypti control program.