Abstract
BackgroundThe present study was designed to quantify the contributions of water pH and hardness required for development and adult fitness indices of Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus) mosquitoes. To this end, seven water pH conditions (pH 4.0–10.0) and five hardness levels (0, 30, 90, 150 and 210 mg/L CaCO3) were simulated following standard protocols. Day-old larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus were reared in these simulated water-media conditions till emergence. Entomological indices for immature developmental success and adult biological fitness parameters were measured.ResultThe results revealed significant effects of pH and water levels on the entomological parameters measured for the species. pH values of 4 and 10 and high hardness values ≥ 150 mg/L CaCO3 reduced immature developmental successes and adult biological fitness indices. The optimum range of values for the development of the species is respectively pH 5–8 and 0–90 mg/L CaCO3.ConclusionThe present study reveals the significant negative influence of extreme pH and hardness levels on mosquito development and fitness indices; thus, it may be providing baseline information for developing sustainable robust vector control strategies for disease reduction through habitat manipulation.
Highlights
The present study was designed to quantify the contributions of water pH and hardness required for development and adult fitness indices of Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus) mosquitoes
As water hardness level increased, the duration of the development of the species gradually increases, with cohorts reared at the highest concentration (210 mg/L Calcium trioxocarbonate (CaCO3) spending the longest time as immature (Fig. 1b)
At pH 10.0 and 210 mg/L CaCO3, the species had the longest duration of development
Summary
The present study was designed to quantify the contributions of water pH and hardness required for development and adult fitness indices of Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus) mosquitoes. To this end, seven water pH conditions (pH 4.0–10.0) and five hardness levels (0, 30, 90, 150 and 210 mg/L CaCO3) were simulated following standard protocols. Culex quinquefasciatus Say, 1823 mosquito is the common southern house mosquito It is the principal vector of Wuchereria bancrofti, responsible for lymphatic filariasis, a debilitating public health disease (Elkanah et al, 2017; World Health Organization, WHO, 2017). 1999) and adult life traits (Mwangangi et al, 2007) Among these physico-chemical components are water pH and hardness levels. The information will update, firstly, the current literature on biology of the vector and, secondly, the role the parameters play in biological fitness for disease transmission and, thirdly, provide information on the potential use of such parameters in vector control via environmental manipulation
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