Potential of Hemianax ephippiger (Odonata-Aeshnidae) nymph as predator of Fasciola intermediate host, Lymnaea natalensis

摘要: Abstract Objective To evaluate the predatory capacity of Odonata, Hemianax ephippiger nymph as a biocontrol agent for freshwater snail Lymnaea natalensis , intermediate host Fasciola gigantica . Methods Observations on searching, attacking and devouring snails with series laboratory-based predation experiments, whose aims were to determine daily rate, differential small-, medium- large-sized carried out. Results Laboratory evaluation revealed that, Odonata could kill consume all three sizes snails. Searching handling time predator differed depending size vulnerability. The rate varied also respect density. Conclusions Our observations suggested that may be suitable bio-control population.