The fact that mosquitofish eat tadpoles even when there are plenty of mosquito larvae shows that the fish have no preference for mosquito larvae. "If mosquitofish are to be an effective means of biological control for mosquitoes, they should consume primarily mosquito larvae rather than other native organisms," say Kats and Goodsell.

The researchers urge local governments to reconsider their policies of using mosquitofish to control mosquitoes. "Mosquitoes are not a major problem in Southern California--this is a desert with little freshwater--and there are other controls including a pathogen that kills larvae," says Kats.

For more information, contact Lee Kats 310-456-4310, lkats@pepperdine.edu.

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Contact: Lee Kats
lkats@pepperdine.edu
310-456-4310
Society for Conservation Biology
29-Jul-1999