Prevalence of aquatic entomofauna, the predators of mosquitoes, in the Zayandeh River of Central Iran

ObjectiveTo determine the fauna of aquatic insects in Zayandeh River of Isfahan carried out in Tehran University of Medical Sciences in 2011.MethodsThis study was performed in Isfahan, central of Iran in Zayandeh River. This was a descriptive study. Having fulfilled sampling for several times, we collected nearly 76 samples from different parts of river. Then they were sealed in an individual jars containing some water obtained from their habitat. Next, the insects were put in jars containing 70% ethylic alcohol.ResultsA total of 76 matured samples of aquatic insects from the Zayandeh River were obtained. Among them, the order of Hemiptera which were the most prevalent order including two families: gerridae (n=27, 35.52%), and notonectidae (n=11, 14.47%). Other order were found belonging to Odonata from the family of coenagrionidae (n=12, 15.78%), coleoptera from the family of Carabidae (n=15, 19.73%) and prostigmata from the family of Hydrachindae (n=11, 14.47%). This was the first faunestic study carried out in Zayandeh River of Isfahan of Iran.ConclusionsThe results are appropriate for future researches to detect more ecological aspects of aquatic arthropods and their role for biological control of vectors which transmit disease to human and animals.