Natural predators and parasites of British mosquitoes – a review

This paper reviews the recorded predators of all life stages of British mosquitoes and assesses their relative effectiveness in limiting mosquito populations. Predators vary markedly in the different habitats that immature and adult mosquitoes frequent, with representatives from at least six insect orders, thirteen arachnid families, as well as crustaceans, amphibians, fish, birds and mammals. We conclude that predators and parasites have a limited but significant effect on overall mosquito populations, and their role should be considered when implementing habitat management, mosquito control and when modeling mosquito population dynamics.