Culex Quinquefasciatus Research Articles

A multiplex qPCR followed by high-resolution melting analysis for the detection of blood-feeding sources in Culex sp. mosquitoes.

Culex species, such as Culex quinquefasciatus and Culex nigripalpus display a range of feeding habits and act as vectors for pathogens that can cause diseases in both humans and animals. Understanding their feeding habits is pivotal for enhancing disease prevention strategies. The present study introduces the application of two multiplex real-time PCR (qPCR) followed by high-resolution melting (HRM) as a cost-effective and time-efficient alternative. This investigation involved the development of two multiplex qPCR-HRM: assay 1 detects human, dog and chicken, while assay 2 detects cat, cattle and horse in Culex sp. engorged female mosquitoes. The qPCR-HRM reactions showed a detection limit of one copy of genomic DNA when performed as single and multiplex qPCR-HRM. The reaction efficiencies were 97.96% for human, 100.60% for dog, 99.03% for chicken, 99.92% for feline, 99.18% for cattle and 97.68% for horse. The qPCR-HRM method, employing multiplex 1 and 2, was applied to field-collected mosquitoes and demonstrated the ability to detect DNA from multiple blood sources within a single sample. By analysing both multiplexes, it was possible to identify up to five distinct blood sources in Cx. quinquefasciatus and Cx. nigripalpus, and up to two sources in Culex coronatus. Sequencing corroborated the qPCR-HRM results, confirming the presence of DNA from one to four different blood sources with 100% accuracy. The development of these molecular methods may contribute for identification of blood-feeding patterns in mosquitoes. It contributes to studies on the dissemination and transmission of pathogens among various animals and humans, thereby bridging the gap between epidemiology and vector monitoring.

Culex quinquefasciatus Density Associated with Socioenvironmental Conditions in a Municipality with Indeterminate Transmission of Lymphatic Filariasis in Northeastern Brazil

Lymphatic filariasis (LF) is a neglected tropical disease associated with poverty and poor environmental conditions. With the inclusion of vector control activities in LF surveillance actions, there is a need to develop simple methods to identify areas with higher mosquito density and thus a higher consequent risk of W. bancrofti transmission. An ecological study was conducted in Igarassu, which is in the metropolitan region of Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil. The mosquitoes were captured in 2060 houses distributed across 117 census tracts. The vector density index (VDI), which measures the average number of lymphatic-filariasis-transmitting mosquitoes per number of houses collected in the risk stratum, was constructed. Moreover, the social deprivation indicator (SDI) was constructed and calculated through principal component factor analysis. An average of 242 female C. quinquefasciatus were found in the high-risk stratum, while the average in the low-risk stratum was 108. The overall VDI was 6.8 mosquitoes per household. The VDI for the high-risk stratum was 13.2 mosquitoes per household, while for the low/medium-risk stratum, it was 5.2. This study offers an SDI for the density of C. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, which can help reduce the costs associated with data collection and allows for identifying priority areas for vector control actions.

Impact of Nanoparticles Synthesized From Azadirachta indica (A. Juss) for Targeted Control of Malarial, Dengue, and Filariasis Vectors With Minimized Aquatic Toxicity

ABSTRACTIn the present study, biogenic silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) synthesized using Azadirachta indica leaf extract were evaluated for their toxic effects on both target and non‐target species. The botanical synthesized nanoparticles were tested against Anopheles stephensi, Aedes aegypti, and Culex quinquefasciatus and non‐targeted species Artemia salina and Eudrilus eugeniae at 24 h posttreatment. AgNPs were characterized using the following analytical techniques: UV‐Vis spectroscopy, FT‐IR, x‐ray diffraction (XRD), energy‐dispersive x‐ray spectroscopy (EDX), and scanning electron microscope (SEM) analysis. Results showed that AgNPs caused larvicidal activity with 90.66% mortality in An. stephensi, 97.33% in Ae. aegypti, and 93.33% in Cx. quinquefasciatus at 24 h posttreatment. A. indica‐derived AgNPs had lower LC50 (lethal concentration 50) and LC90 (lethal concentration 90) values of 44.803 and 252.886 ppm/mL in An. stephensi, 18.358 and 189.553 ppm/mL in Ae. Aegypti, and 36.492 and 219.800 ppm/mL in Cx. quinquefasciatus, respectively. Furthermore, AgNPs demonstrated lower toxicity effects with 50.66% mortality in A. salina and 38.66% mortality in E. eugeniae at 24 h posttreatment. Additionally, they exhibited lower LC50 and LC90 values of 240.996 and 533.618 ppm/mL in A. salina and 301.122 and 548.944 ppm/kg in E. eugeniae at 24 h posttreatment, respectively. The findings conclude that green‐synthesized AgNPs from plants offer a promising, cost‐effective, and target‐specific alternative for eco‐friendly mosquito larvicides. Future work should focus on developing these plant‐based agents with minimal non‐target toxicity to support sustainable pest control. Further research may explore large‐scale applications and assess the long‐term environmental impacts of AgNPs in integrated vector management programs.

Essential Oils of The Leaves of Syzygium hemilamprum (F. Muell.) Craven & Biffin.: Chemical Analysis, Antimicrobial, Mosquito Larvicidal, Molecular Docking, and ADMET Studies.

The chemical composition of the essential oil and n-hexane extract from Syzygium hemilamprum leaves was first performed. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis revealed that the essential oil was predominantly composed of monoterpene hydrocarbons (71.5 %) and oxygenated derivatives (20.2 %), with β-pinene (31.5 %), limonene (19.4 %), α-pinene (12.3 %), and α-terpineol (7.4 %) being the principal constituents. The n-hexane extract contained monoterpene hydrocarbons (42.2 %) and non-terpenic compounds (34.0 %), with β-pinene (32.8 %) and n-hexadecane (10.2 %) as the major components. Antimicrobial and mosquito larvicidal assays demonstrated that both samples exhibited antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus (Gram-positive), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Gram-negative), and Saccharomyces cerevisiae (yeast), with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 128 μg/mL for all tested organisms. Both samples also showed significant mosquito larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus, with LC50 and LC90 values below 20 μg/mL at 24 and 48 hours post-treatment. Molecular docking studies suggested that limonene and α-terpineol could serve as potent inhibitors of mosquito odorant binding proteins. Additionally, an in silico analysis was performed to evaluate the physicochemical and ADMET (absorption, distribution, metabolism, and toxicity) properties of the major constituents of the essential oil.

Retraction Note to: Low-cost and eco-friendly green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Feronia elephantum (Rutaceae) against Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles stephensi, and Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

Retraction Note to: Low-cost and eco-friendly green synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Feronia elephantum (Rutaceae) against Culex quinquefasciatus, Anopheles stephensi, and Aedes aegypti (Diptera: Culicidae).

Isolation of Natural Veratrylidenehydrazide Compound from Wedelia Biflora and Synthesis of Veratrylidenehydrazide Analogue: Investigation of Larvicidal Activity Against Culex Quinquefasciatus and Toxicity Analysis in Nontarget Aquatic Species

AbstractIn this study, veratrylidenehydrazide was isolated from Wedelia biflora, and compounds (1a, 2a, and 3a–j) were synthesised to evaluate their larvicidal and antifeedant activities. Veratrylidenehydrazide 1a was verified using GC‐MS. The veratrylidenehydrazide analogues 2a and 3a–j were synthesised via a condensation method with yield range 71%–92%. The compounds (1a, 2a, and 3a–j) were synthesised and characterised through FT–IR, 1H NMR, 13C NMR, mass spectrometry, and elemental analysis. Veratrylidenehydrazide 1a was verified using GC‐MS analysis. Natural veratrylidenehydrazide compound 1a and the synthesised veratrylidenehydrazide analogues (2a, 3a–j) were screened for larvicidal activity against Culex quinquefasciatus. The larvicidal activity of compound 3g was found to be highly active, while low toxicity was observed against Oreochromis mossambicus nontarget aquatic species compared to natural veratrylidenehydrazide. Compound 3g exhibited a higher binding affinity (−8.8 kcal/mol) compared to standard of temephos (−4.5 kcal/mol), equipotential binding affinity against permethrin (−9.1 kcal/mol), and diflubenzuron (−8.5 kcal/mol). Lead molecules have larvicidal properties, and their use as insecticides makes them important.

Nested patterns of commensals and endosymbionts in microbial communities of mosquito vectors

BackgroundMosquitoes serve as vectors for numerous pathogens, posing significant health risks to humans and animals. Understanding the complex interactions within mosquito microbiota is crucial for deciphering vector-pathogen dynamics and developing effective disease management strategies. Here, we investigated the nested patterns of Wolbachia endosymbionts and Escherichia-Shigella within the microbiota of laboratory-reared Culex pipiens f. molestus and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. We hypothesized that Wolbachia would exhibit a structured pattern reflective of its co-evolved relationship with both mosquito species, while Escherichia-Shigella would display a more dynamic pattern influenced by environmental factors.ResultsOur analysis revealed different microbial compositions between the two mosquito species, although some microorganisms were common to both. Network analysis revealed distinct community structures and interaction patterns for these bacteria in the microbiota of each mosquito species. Escherichia-Shigella appeared prominently within major network modules in both mosquito species, particularly in module P4 of Cx. pipiens f. molestus, interacting with 93 nodes, and in module Q3 of Cx. quinquefasciatus, interacting with 161 nodes, sharing 55 nodes across both species. On the other hand, Wolbachia appeared in disparate modules: module P3 in Cx. pipiens f. molestus and a distinct module with a single additional taxon in Cx. quinquefasciatus, showing species-specific interactions and no shared taxa. Through computer simulations, we evaluated how the removal of Wolbachia or Escherichia-Shigella affects network robustness. In Cx. pipiens f. molestus, removal of Wolbachia led to a decrease in network connectivity, while Escherichia-Shigella removal had a minimal impact. Conversely, in Cx. quinquefasciatus, removal of Escherichia-Shigella resulted in decreased network stability, whereas Wolbachia removal had minimal effect.ConclusionsContrary to our hypothesis, the findings indicate that Wolbachia displays a more dynamic pattern of associations within the microbiota of Culex pipiens f. molestus and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, than Escherichia-Shigella. The differential effects on network robustness upon Wolbachia or Escherichia-Shigella removal suggest that these bacteria play distinct roles in maintaining community stability within the microbiota of the two mosquito species.

Larvicidal Efficacy of <i>Cassia singueana</i> methanol leaf extract against <i>Aedes aegypti</i> and <i>Culex quinquefasciatus</i>

Despite the persistent control measures, mosquitoes remain abundant and the disease they transmit persists globally posing significant health challenges. There is increasing enthusiasm for exploring botanical solutions as substitutes for conventional chemical insecticides, driven by their broad insecticidal attributes, eco-friendly nature and compatibility with various ecological settings. As such, the study was designed to assess the larvicidal properties of methanol leaf extract of Cassia singueana against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus. The plant was subjected to preliminary and GC-MS phytochemicals screening. Larvicidal bioassay was conducted using six different concentrations (0.10-3.20 mg/ml) and 31.25mg/l temphos and distilled water were used as positive and negative control respectively. The experimental set up was observed after 24 h and the lethal concentrations (LC50 and LC99) were determined using Probit analysis. Preliminary phytochemical screening of C. singueana methanol leaf extract revealed the presence of alkaloids, cardiac glycosides saponins, phenolic compounds, tannins, steroid carbohydrates, flavonoids, and terpenoids. Eighteen (18) bioactive compounds were identified in the methanol leaf extract of C. singueana which includes 1,5-Heptadien-3-yne, 2-Hydroxy-3-methylbenzaldehyde, 2-Butenoic acid, Acetonitrile, 2,2'-iminobis-, 7,11-Hexadecadienal,2-Hexyne, among others. The extract had larvicidal activity against A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus with LD99 of 5.44 mg/ml and 15.85 mg/ml respectively at 24 h post-treatment. This study offers valuable perspectives on the possible application and advancement of C. singueana leaf extract as a potential bioinsecticide against A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus and consequently control the diseases transmitted by them.

Eco-friendly synthesis of silver nanoparticles using Phyllanthus niruri leaf extract: Assessment of antimicrobial activity, effectiveness on tropical neglected mosquito vector control, and biocompatibility using a fibroblast cell line model

Abstract Mosquitoes are rapidly advancing as vectors of several severe diseases. The increasing resistance of mosquitoes and the environmental harm caused by insecticides pose significant challenges for eradicating mosquito vectors. In this study, 18 plant extracts were tested for larvicidal properties against Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Anopheles stephensi larvae. Phyllanthus niruri (Pn) showed enhanced larvicidal activity in both laboratory and field trials. The biosynthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) using Pn leaf methanol extract (Pn-LME) was confirmed by UV-visible spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, transmission electron microscopy, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy. Among various concentrations, 3 mM AgNPs exhibited significant LC90 values of 0.83, 1.46, and 9.11 ppm compared to 9.25, 93.48, and 14.60 ppm of Pn-LME against A. stephensi, C. quinquefasciatus, and A. aegypti, respectively. This indicates the high mortality of mosquito vectors at low AgNP concentrations. Additionally, Pn-AgNPs showed enhanced antibacterial activity and no cytotoxicity in normal fibroblast cells (L929). Field trials demonstrated a 98.70% decrease in mosquito larval density at A. stephensi breeding sites, a 96.55% reduction at C. quinquefasciatus sites, and a 97.85% reduction at Ae. aegypti sites. This study presents an eco-friendly and cost-effective AgNP bio-pesticide synthesized from Pn leaves for controlling and preventing the transmission of filarial, dengue, and malaria vectors.

Ferroptotic cyanobacteria as biocontrol agent of the southern house mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus

Culex quinquefasciatus is a hematophagous mosquito, widely distributed around the world, that plays a crucial role in public and veterinary health. As an efficient vector of etiological agents, it exhibits a marked preference for urban environments and human blood. Despite advances in mosquito-borne disease control, managing mosquito populations remains an economically efficient and safe strategy to reduce the impact of epidemic outbreaks. However, achieving this goal requires ecologically acceptable tools that ensure sustainability and minimize adverse environmental impacts. In the present work, we investigated the effect of a non-toxigenic model cyanobacterium on Cx. quinquefasciatus larvae through regulated cell death. We observed that heat stress treatment of Synechocystis PCC 6803 inducing ferroptosis, results in larval lipid oxidation, leading to their death. This effect can be mitigated by rearing larvae in an environment containing canonical inhibitors of ferroptosis, such as ferrostatin 1, or antioxidants, like glutathione and ascorbic acid. Furthermore, larval cell death induced by ferroptotic cyanobacteria is closely linked to oxidative dysregulation and lipid peroxidation, both hallmarks of ferroptosis. Moreover, while ferroptotic Synechocystis significantly affects larval development, it does not influence oviposition site selection by gravid females.

Comparative efficacy of Biogents Sentinel and CDC traps for Aedes and Culex mosquito surveillance in India

BackgroundMosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are important arthropod vectors that are responsible for transmitting numerous pathogens of major diseases. Adult mosquito traps help in effective surveillance. In this study, we compared the efficacy of the Biogents® Sentinel (BGS) traps and CO2-baited CDC traps for adult mosquito collection within four sites in India.ResultsWe found that BGS traps collected significantly more Culex quinquefasciatus and Aedes aegypti mosquitoes (85.8% of the total catch) than CDC traps (14.9% of the total catch). We also conducted a follow-up experiment to study the effect of adding CO2 as bait along with the BG lure to determine if it increases the number of mosquitoes collected. The results showed that BGS traps with BG lure + CO2 collected significantly more mosquitoes (69.5% of the total catch) than BGS traps with BG lure only (30.5% of the total catch). Although BGS traps were developed for surveillance of Ae. albopictus (Skuse) and Ae. aegypti (L.), the traps collected more Cx. quinquefasciatus (Say.) than any other mosquito species.ConclusionBGS trap is an efficient surveillance tool, and it can be used as part of an integrated mosquito management program by public health officials in order to combat mosquito-borne diseases.

Coexistence and food sources of adult mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in a rural health center in Piura, Peru 2024.

Motivation for the study. Rural health facilities could be potential foci of transmission and scenarios of zoonosis during epidemic outbreaks of dengue and other arbovirosis due to the coexistence of mosquito species that feed on different vertebrates. Main findings. Aedes aegypti feeds on Homo sapiens sapiens. Culex quinquefasciatus feeds on Homo sapiens sapiens and Canis familiaris. Both coexist in health care areas of the Querecotillo health center. Implications. Molecular techniques should be integrated into vector control to understand feeding patterns in natural conditions and information on probable reservoirs. This study aimed to determine the coexistence and food sources of adult mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in a rural health center in Piura, Peru by using a descriptive cross-sectional design. Entomological techniques were used to capture and identify mosquitoes, and molecular biotechnology techniques were used to identify food sources. A total of 793 specimens of the Culex and Aedes genera were found coexisting, 789 (99.5%) were Culex quinquefasciatus, 607 (76.9%) were males and 182 (23.1%) were females. Likewise, 4 (100%) corresponded to Aedes aegypti females. The food sources of Aedes aegypti were Homo sapiens sapiens, and Homo sapiens sapiens and Canis familiaris were the food sources of Culex quinquefasciatus. This study provides evidence that rural health centers could be acting as foci of arbovirosis, with the risk that people who come for different ailments could contract diseases transmitted by C. quinquefasciatus and A. aegypti.

Multiple bloodmeals enhance dissemination of arboviruses in three medically relevant mosquito genera

BackgroundMosquitoes in nature may acquire multiple bloodmeals (BMs) over the course of their lifetime; however, incorporation of frequent feeding behavior in laboratory vector competence studies is rarely done. We have previously shown that acquisition of a second non-infectious BM can enhance early dissemination of Zika virus (ZIKV), dengue virus, and chikungunya virus in Aedes aegypti and ZIKV in Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, yet it is unknown if other taxonomically-diverse virus-vector pairings show a similar trend under a sequential feeding regimen.MethodsTo test this, we evaluated the impact of a second noninfectious BM on the vector competence of Aedes aegypti and Anopheles quadrimaculatus for Mayaro virus, Culex quinquefasciatus for West Nile virus, Aedes triseriatus for La Crosse virus, and Aedes aegypti for Oropouche virus (OROV). Female mosquitoes were fed BMs containing these viruses and half of them were given a second noninfectious BM at 3 or 4-days post infection. Mosquitoes were harvested at various time points and assayed for virus infection in bodies and disseminated infection in legs by performing reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) assays.ResultsWe found that a second noninfectious BM had no impact on midgut infection rates but increased virus dissemination for all but one of the virus-vector pairings- Ae. aegypti and OROV. Unlike the other arboviruses under consideration, which are strictly mosquito-borne, biting midges (Culicoides spp.) serve as the main vector of OROV and this virus rarely disseminated to the mosquito leg tissue in our study.ConclusionsTaken together, our findings show that sequential blood feeding enhances virus dissemination across diverse arbovirus-vector pairings, representing three mosquito genera and virus families, but a second BM was insufficient to overcome a strong midgut virus escape barrier in a nonnatural virus–vector pairing.Graphical

Morphological Characterization of Culex Quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) Pupae in the Eastern Province of Saudi Arabia.

Over the last 30 years, several mosquito-borne diseases have spread worldwide, threatening human and animal health, including lymphatic filariasis. Lymphatic filariasis is a major public health issue in tropical regions like Saudi Arabia, caused by parasitic worms. The parasitic worms Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi are transmitted by Culex quinquefasciatus. Cx. quinquefasciatus is a potential vector for various arboviruses like encephalitis virus and West Nile virus, along with protozoa like Plasmodium relictum that cause bird malaria. With the increasing number of mosquito species, there is an increased need for additional species identification. More attention is being directed to the immature stage, specifically the pupae, due to their valuable characteristics for species identification. Cx. quinquefaciatus, one of the nine Culicine species found in Saudi Arabia, lacks a complete description of its pupal stage and only has partial descriptions of other developmental stages, making identification challenging. This study aimed to investigate the morphological characteristics of Cx. quinquefaciatus pupae, focusing on the cephalothorax, trumpet, abdomen, paddle, and genital lobes, as well as the distribution and arrangement of setal branching and chaetotaxy. The pupae were collected from Qaryat Al Ulya Governorate, Eastern region, KSA, and maintained in a Biology Laboratory at the University of Hafr Al Batin from September to October 2022. The findings of this study have provided the essential characteristics regarding the distinguishing features of Cx. quinquefaciatus pupae to distinguish it from other closely related species. This identification could assist field entomologists in enhancing their efficiency by classifying mosquitoes during virus outbreaks.

Chemical characterization, antimicrobial and mosquito larvicidal activities of the essential oil of Camellia pleurocarpa (Gagnep.) Sealy from Vietnam

Camellia pleurocarpa (Gagnep.) Sealy, a species of yellow camellia indigenous to Vietnam, was investigated for its essential oil properties in this study. Hydrodistillation of its leaves yielded a complex mixture rich in sesquiterpenes and diterpenes. Chemical analysis identified 50 constituents, with notable compounds including spathulenol (13.26%), phytol (9.94%), and α-selinene (5.34%). The essential oil exhibited significant antimicrobial activity against three Gram-positive bacteria Enterococcus faecalis, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus; one Gram-negative bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa; and one yeast Candida albicans, with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) values ranging from 16 to 32 μg/mL and half-maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) values ranging from 7.26 to 16.23 μg/mL. Furthermore, it demonstrated larvicidal potential against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes, with LC50 values ranging from 13.49 to 28.95 μg/mL and LC90 values ranging from 28.29 to 53.24 μg/mL. These findings underscore the promising antimicrobial and mosquito larvicidal properties of C. pleurocarpa essential oil, suggesting its potential as a natural alternative in combating microbial infections and controlling mosquito-borne diseases. This study represents the first comprehensive report on the chemical compositions and bioactivities of C. pleurocarpa essential oil.

Long lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) intervention impact on use, misuse and challenges in malaria and lymphatic filariasis transmission

To assess the effectiveness and misuse status of Long Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs), intervention, a study was conducted in areas of malaria and lymphatic filariasis endemicity from November 2021 to August 2022. A preliminary survey preceded a cross-sectional survey of the misuse of LLINs. Considering the outcome of the former, 57 households misusing LLINs were reported. Thirty (30) cohorts each from LLIN misusing and LLIN non misusing households served as permanent cohorts for mosquito collections (60 rooms in 60 households in 3 sentinel villages). The study also investigated the status of LLIN usage and non usage. Mosquitoes caught with Aspirators and Pyrethrum Knockdown (PKD) techniques were identified using standard morphological keys. Among those who used LLIN, 68.42% used it for other purposes than vector control while 31.58% didn’t utilize it for mosquito control. About 59.65% didn’t know the effect of using it for purposes other than malaria/LF control while 40.35% were familiar. Of 8,180 endophilic mosquitoes caught and assessed for parity, infection/infectivity status, 60.07% (4,914/8,180) and 39.93% (3,266/8,180) represented LLIN misusing and LLIN non-misusing catches respectively. Overall, insignificantly higher catches were made in LLIN misusing cohorts than LLIN non misusing cohorts (63.54% versus 36.45%, 58.89% versus 41.11%, 58.86% versus 41.18%) for 2015, 2016 and 2017 respectively. Specifically, malaria/LF vector densities showed that Anopheles gambiae s.l. (82.53% versus 74.04%) was the highest followed by An. funestus s.l. (10.15% versus 12.19%) and Culex quinquefasciatus (6.82% versus 3.83%) while other species were rarely present. The physiological, infection (0.28% versus 0.49%) and infectivity (0.00% versus 0.00%) statuses with Wuchereria bancrofti were insignificant between the cohorts (p>0.05). None of the Anopheles assessed for Plasmodium sporozoite were positive for both cohorts. The percentage level of LLIN household use was 43.33% while 41.03% slept under LLIN daily, 58.97% slept sometimes. Obstacles to LLIN use included hot/heat (56.86%), dislike (21.57%), lack of protection (11.86%) and ineffectiveness (9.80%). The role of significant misuse of LLIN was highlighted by the study. The results indicated the intensity of filariasis transmission by transmitting vectors was higher than that of malaria and re-emphasis the need to promote positive attitude towards the use of LLIN for control of the two diseases.

Predation Efficiency of Non-Blood Sucking Mosquito Larvae of Toxorhynchites splendens (Weidman) Determined by Kruskal–Wallis One-Way Analysis of Variance by Ranks over Immature Stages of Malaria (Anopheles stephensi), Filariasis (Culex quinquefasciatus)

Predation Efficiency of Non-Blood Sucking Mosquito Larvae of Toxorhynchites splendens (Weidman) Determined by Kruskal–Wallis One-Way Analysis of Variance by Ranks over Immature Stages of Malaria (Anopheles stephensi), Filariasis (Culex quinquefasciatus)

A brief look at sexual dimorphism in the midgut morphology of lower Diptera and its implications for hematophagy

The insect digestive system is divided into three sections: the foregut, the midgut, and the hindgut. Specific subdivisions and modifications in these regions can characterize distinct insect groups, representing apomorphies. Since only females of hematophagous insects from nematoceran Diptera feed on blood, nearly all studies have focused on specimens of this sex, often neglecting the studies on the males’ internal anatomy. In our studies of Lower Diptera (Nematocera) (Lutzomyia longipalpis Lutz & Neiva, 1912, Aedes aegypti Linnaeus, 1762, and Culex quinquefasciatus Say, 1823), we observed differences in midgut morphology between males and females. In hematophagous species, within both Culicomorpha and Psychodomorpha, females exhibit a prominent dilation in the posterior midgut. In contrast, in Culicomorpha males only a slight dilation in the posterior region of the midgut was observed. For Psychodomorpha males, the midgut remained tubular and narrow throughout its length. Interestingly, in the non-hematophagous insect Clogmia albipunctata Williston, 1893 (Diptera: Psychodidae) both males and females possess a tubular and narrow midgut. Our showed that the observed differences are related to hematophagy, where all hematophagous females have a midgut with prominent posterior dilation, while females from non-hematophagous species have a narrowed midgut. These observations, if further validated, could significantly impact future studies in insect physiology and evolutionary biology, inspiring new research directions and methodologies.

Evaluation of the In2care Mosquito Station against Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)under semifield conditions.

Culex quinquefasciatus is an important mosquito vector responsible for the transmission of filarial worms, arthropod-borne viruses like Oropouche, St. Louis encephalitis, andWest Nile and protozoans that cause avian malaria. Due to insecticide resistance documented in Cx. quinquefasciatus populations worldwide, integrated vector management programs can benefit from new strategies to control this species. The In2Care Mosquito Station (In2Care station), a commercially available dissemination station containing pyriproxyfen (PPF) and Beauveria bassiana spores, has been shown to be effective against skip-ovipositing Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in previously conducted semifield and field trials. To determine the potential of Cx. quinquefasciatus adult females to autodisseminate PPF and if the In2Care station could be used for Cx. quinquefasciatus control, we assessed its efficacy in a semifield setting against wild Cx. quinquefasciatus. We found that the In2Care station was attractive to gravid Cx. quinquefasciatus females, with a significantly higher percentage of egg rafts laid in the In2Care station compared to alternative ovipots. Adult females successfully autodisseminated PPF from the In2Care station to surrounding ovipots, leading to a significant increase in mosquito emergence inhibition. Additionally, adult Cx. quinquefasciatus exposure to B. bassiana spores significantly reduced mosquito survivorship. These results suggest that the In2Care station may be effective against Cx. quinquefasciatus in addition to Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus. Additional field evaluations are needed to assess impacts at the population level.

Insecticidal effect of Cannabis

Currently, there is a need for the development of vector insect control products that are ecologically viable, utilizing active principles available in nature. Natural compounds with insecticidal potential already identified in Cannabis are promising prospects for the control and management of vector arthropods of diseases. In this context, the work aims to investigate possible disparities in the toxicity effects of Cannabis in different formulations and at different stages of the vectors' life. This is a systematic review. Experimental studies describing the toxic effects of Cannabis on eggs, larvae, pupae, and adult vector insects were included. Articles in which the insect was characterized as a mechanical vector, literature review research, and ethnobotanical studies were excluded. The study revealed the potential insecticidal effect of Cannabis when applied in different formulations on Ctenocephalides felis felis, Aedes albopictus, Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles gambiae, and Culex quinquefasciatus at different stages of development. Cannabis proved to be a promising plant in terms of mortality and evidenced effects on insect fertility, birth rates, and adult emergence. The study revealed a potential insecticidal effect of Cannabis. However, further investigations are crucial to elucidate the role of this plant in vector insect control strategies.