Mosquito Larvae and Copper
Malaria is a vector borne disease which is a major problem worldwide today. Commonly, there are three major way of controlling malaria; medical treatment, vaccination, and vector control. The first method, medical treatment, is a way to find and develop medicines to treat malaria. However, this method is losing its effectiveness because some malaria parasites are building up resistance to antimalarial drugs. Also, it can not decrease the number of patients getting malaria. The second way of controlling malaria, vaccination, is not an effective way to decrease the number of patients either because there are only one type of vaccine that is effective to develop immunity for malaria parasite. The most effective way to decrease malaria parasite is vector control.
Many methods have been used to control adult mosquitoes. However, there were many difficulties controlling adult mosquitoes because they fly and move around. In contrast, mosquito larvae stays in a certain place. Recent study has shown that copper is effective to kill or damage mosquito larvae. Copper’s ability to kill mosquito larvae can decrease and control the number of mosquitoes around the world. Controlling mosquitoes can limit the transmission of pathogens, which may decrease the outbreak of infectious diseases.
Many methods have been used to control adult mosquitoes. However, there were many difficulties controlling adult mosquitoes because they fly and move around. In contrast, mosquito larvae stays in a certain place. Recent study has shown that copper is effective to kill or damage mosquito larvae. Copper’s ability to kill mosquito larvae can decrease and control the number of mosquitoes around the world. Controlling mosquitoes can limit the transmission of pathogens, which may decrease the outbreak of infectious diseases.
Experiment!
To see how copper affect mosquito larvae, we will do a small experiment by using mosquito larvae and 10 yen coins (made of copper). We will use third instar mosquito larvae, and first and second instar mosquito larvae.
There will be 6 plastic cases with mosquito larvae in total (a plastic case with no 10 yen coin with 30 1st and 2nd instar mosquito larvae, one 10 yen coin with 30 1st and 2nd instar mosquito larvae, five 10 yen coins with 30 1st and 2nd instar mosquito larvae, no 10 yen coin with 20 3rd instar mosquito larvae, one 10 yen coin with 20 3rd instar mosquito larvae, and five 10 yen coins with 20 3rd instar mosquito larvae).
If copper affects mosquito larvae, it can be hypothesized that mosquito larvae in a plastic case with more 10 yens will die out faster.
There will be 6 plastic cases with mosquito larvae in total (a plastic case with no 10 yen coin with 30 1st and 2nd instar mosquito larvae, one 10 yen coin with 30 1st and 2nd instar mosquito larvae, five 10 yen coins with 30 1st and 2nd instar mosquito larvae, no 10 yen coin with 20 3rd instar mosquito larvae, one 10 yen coin with 20 3rd instar mosquito larvae, and five 10 yen coins with 20 3rd instar mosquito larvae).
If copper affects mosquito larvae, it can be hypothesized that mosquito larvae in a plastic case with more 10 yens will die out faster.
This is a short video that recorded what happened during the experiment.
Result Data
The result of this experiment show that mosquito larvae in a plastic case with more copper (10 yens) die out faster than the mosquito larvae in a plastic case with no copper. Thus, copper affects mosquito larvae, and can be used to control mosquitoes.