Mitigating the Public Health Issues Caused by the Filarial Vector, Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae) Through Phytocontrol and Larval Source Marker Management

Appl Biochem Biotechnol. 2023 Nov 24. doi: 10.1007/s12010-023-04747-9. Online ahead of print.ABSTRACTFailure of conventional mosquito control strategies to curb the population of vectors have made the humans vulnerable to serious medical problems transmitted by them. This effect has been compounded by global climate change enabling the mosquitoes to cross geographical boundaries and cause trouble in regions where they were initially not found. As such, the scientific community has been compelled to devise alternative and innovative strategies of mosquito control that can be integrated with the conventional practices to implement multi-phasic approach of vector management. Culex quinquefasciatus is one such mosquito species that is reported to be one of the primary vectors of lymphatic filariasis and many other diseases of global health concern. However, not much is known about its breeding habitat ecology and microbial properties that have enabled the species to achieve reproductive success in urbanized habitats. The current investigation was carried out at Digha, West Bengal, India. The region, despite being endemic for lymphatic filariasis, has rarely been explored for its mosquito diversity and/or their breeding habitat characteristics. Therefore, these were attempted. For survey and sampling, seven villages were chosen, namely, Duttapur, Jatimati, Champabani, Padima, Gobindabasan, Bhagibaharampur and Palsandapur. The study showed that Cx. quinquefasciatus is the dominant ...
Source: Applied Biochemistry and Biotechnology - Category: Biochemistry Authors: Source Type: research