FAUBA proposes the introduction of these 'Madrecitas de agua' into water reservoirs so that they actively feed on the larvae of Aedes aegypti

Aquaculture as an Innovative Ally: Native Fish from UBA, a Biological Strategy Against Dengue

ARGENTINA
Wednesday, May 14, 2025, 02:00 (GMT + 9)

Researchers at the Faculty of Agronomy of the University of Buenos Aires develop a natural and effective method using "Madrecita de agua" fish to eliminate larvae of the dengue-transmitting mosquito, offering a sustainable alternative to insecticides.

Buenos Aires – In the fight against vector-borne diseases, aquaculture is emerging as an innovative ally. Researchers at the Faculty of Agronomy of the University of Buenos Aires (FAUBA) have developed a pioneering method to combat dengue, a viral disease spread by the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, characterized by its black color and white stripes on its legs and abdomen. The solution lies in the use of native fish popularly known as "Madrecitas de agua" (Water Little Mothers).

These small fish have proven to be highly effective in eliminating the eggs and larvae of Aedes aegypti, the same mosquito responsible for the transmission of Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever. The research originated in the Aquaculture department of FAUBA, seeking a sustainable and ecological alternative to vector control.

Photo: noticias.agro.uba.ar

The project takes on particular relevance during and after the summer, when the accumulation of water in unattended containers, such as swimming pools, favors the proliferation of mosquitoes. The innovative research from FAUBA proposes the introduction of these "Madrecitas de agua" into water reservoirs so that they actively feed on the larvae of Aedes aegypti.

Photo: noticias.agro.uba.ar

This approach offers a significant advantage by avoiding the need to resort to insecticides, whose effectiveness is not absolute and can have negative impacts on the environment. The "Madrecitas de agua," on the other hand, provide effective biological control and contribute to the preservation of the local aquatic ecosystem.

Alejandro López, a professor in the Aquaculture department of FAUBA, explained the scope of the project: “This is a university extension project, where the Faculty shares this knowledge about the breeding, stocking, and management of fish for biological control with various institutions in society. Initially, the demand came from an educational center with orchards and irrigation tanks.”

The effectiveness of the "Madrecitas de agua" has generated increasing demand, not only from public institutions but also from private actors and individuals. Neighbors concerned about breeding grounds in abandoned houses, municipalities, and people with ponds or disused recreational pools during the warm season are actively seeking these fish for their water reservoirs. FAUBA provides them free of charge to those who request them.

Professor López emphasized the conclusiveness of the results: “We are certain that in the water reservoir where we place these fish, no larvae survive. This is confirmed, unlike the variable effectiveness of insecticides.” He also detailed their biology: “They require supplementary feeding, they feed on what is available in the place, and their population expands only if they have greater food resources available,” referring to the controlled reproductive capacity of the specimen.

Photo: noticias.agro.uba.ar

Initially conceived for public institutions with productive water reservoirs, the program has expanded its reach to respond to the growing demand from various social actors. Currently, any person or entity with swimming pools, rainwater or irrigation collection tanks, or domestic ponds can access this natural and effective biological control service against the dengue mosquito. The UBA initiative highlights the potential of aquaculture to address public health challenges in an innovative and sustainable way.

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