BIOLOGICAL STUDIES ON THE MALACOPHAGOUS PREDATOR LIMNOGETON FIEB ER! MAYR (HEMIPTERA: BELOSTOMATIDAE.)

K.T. AWADALLAH, M.F.S. TAWFIK, F. YOUSIF* and K.M. AZZAM*.
Biological Control Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Cairo University , Giza .
* Medical Malacology Department, Theodor Bitharz, Research Institute, Embaba , Egypt .

ABSTRACT

The biology of the malacophagous belostomatid, Limnogeton fieberi Mayr was studied in association with the two snail species Biotnphalaria alexandrina and Hetisoma duryi (at 18-2WC). The durations of the various stages of this predator together with the rate of mortality among immature forms and fecundity were estimated under this feeding condition. It appeared that B. alexandrian, the intermnediate host of Schistosoma inansoni, is more adequate prey than H. duryi and accordingly it could be considered one of the efficient biological control agents of this harmful snail.

Key Words: Biocontrol, Predator, Limnogeton fieberi, Snails.