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Article: Woods Hole, Mass., Researchers Test Ways to Limit Mosquito Population.
- Article from:
- Cape Cod Times (Hyannis, MA)
- Article date:
- September 20, 2003
CopyrightCOPYRIGHT 2003 Cape Cod Times. This material is published under license from the publisher through the Gale Group, Farmington Hills, Michigan. All inquiries regarding rights should be directed to the Gale Group. (Hide copyright information)
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Byline: Jack Coleman
Sep. 20--WOODS HOLE, Mass.--Bill Mebane dumped the brackish water filled with mosquito larvae into the tank and watched as two dozen banded sunfish pounced.
It wasn't the feeding frenzy you'd expect of piranhas, but the comma-sized larvae never stood a chance.
"I have rarely seen them feed to satiation," said Mebane, a scientist at the Marine Biological Laboratory.
Mebane and officials with the Cape Cod Mosquito Control Project hope the sunfish's ravenous appetite can eventually stem the spread of West Nile virus and other insect-borne illnesses.
Even as this mosquito season winds down, the scientists' ...