[A review of larvivorous fish]

Recently, because of concern about the effects of insecticide on the environment, increased attention is being given to the use of biological agents for controlling the vectors of human disease. Biological control may encompass the use of predators, pathogens, parasites, pheromones, insect growth regulators, and other factors. Of these agents only fish and bacteria have so far been used operationally in mosquito control. Since 1988 fish have been employed for controlling Aedes larvae in water containers in Liuchiu, Pingtung. A review of larvivorous fish (mainly Gambusia affinis) and the present status of the use of fish in mosquito control in Mainland China are thus made for ready reference for the workers in mosquito control in Taiwan.