Laboratory evaluation of Limnatis nilotica leech (Annelida: Hirudinea) as a biocontrol agent for the schistosome-vector snail, Bulinus truncatus

摘要: Objective: To investigate the predation efficacy of freshwater leech, Limnatis nilotica (L. nilotica) as a potential biological control agent against different stages Bulinus truncatus (B. truncatus), intermediate host human Schistosoma haematobium, under laboratory conditions. Methods: The leech L. and snail B. were collected from El Kiryab Agriculture Scheme, Sudan. Thereafter, predatory activity was evaluated eggs, neonates adults in series experiments Results: findings showed that voracious predator towards eggs snails with shell length up to 3 mm, well adult an greater than mm. Conclusions: results had significant impact on populations. However, long term studies natural field conditions are needed support these results.