Spiders roped into war on malaria

A research body has introduced two spider species that eat malaria- transmitting mosquito.

International Centre of Insect Physiology and Ecology (Icipe) researchers said the discovery of the jumping spiders that prefers mosquitoes to any other prey was of exceptional interest and warrants further study.

The two spider species, Evarcha culicivora and Paracyrba wanlessi, are known to specifically target mosquitoes.

Professor Robert Jackson, one of the researchers at Icipe, said the two insect species feed preferentially on mosquitoes, making them the only predators that specialise in killing mosquitoes.

Prof Jackson said, during the launch of the research findings in Nairobi on Friday, that the two insects strike mosquitoes differently.

However, these mosquito terminators crave all mosquitoes at any stage of their growth including their eggs.

“In their own different ways, the two are in fact highly specialised mosquito assassins. They ignore any other insects that get in the way as they pursue the mosquitoes.”

Evarcha culicivora is found only around Lake Victoria, in East Africa, where it is mostly seen on walls of occupied buildings.

Paracyrba wanlessi is mostly found in Malaysia.

“It is drawn to the malaria-transmitting female Anopheles mosquito that fill its guts with blood meals from humans, seek it out and terminates it,” he said.

However, while the study can be ideal in controlling malaria, the researchers cautioned against premature euphoria on the development.

“Our study should be a helpful step in learning more of how the spiders can be used in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases.

“At this stage, the most important next step is to learn more about the biology of the jumping spiders,” he said.

The researchers found that jumping spiders pose no threat to human or to animal health but called for awareness on their role in the environment

The study was supported by grants from the Royal Society of New Zealand, the National Geographic Society, New Zealand Foundation of Research, Science and Technology, and the United States National Institutes of Health.

The study findings have been published in the current issue of the Journal of Arachnology.