Evaluation of the influence of Homogenate Filtrates of some Larval Habitat-Inhabiting Flora and Fauna Species on Immature development and Adult body size of Culex quinquefasciatus Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)

Abstract

This study was carried out to determine the influence of breeding sites flora and fauna on mosquito developmental success (survival rate and duration of development) and adult fitness attributes. Homogenate filtrate of four organisms: tadpole (Rana temporaria), Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus niloticus), water lily (Nymphaea lotus), and a Fresh water algae (Spirogyra porticalis), were prepared and tested against freshly hatched-out mosquito larvae. Analyses of results revealed high (>90.00 %) immature survival rate, with no significant (p<0.05) difference among the filtrates. Larval survival rates ranged from 96.73±7.82 (Tilapia) to 99.99±0.83 (water lily), pupal survivorship, 87.57±10.48 (water lily) to 98.96±2.09 (tadpole), and Average Immature survivorship, 96.71±6.47 (water lily) to 99.09±3.22% (tadpole). Developmental periods of immature populations of Cx,quinquefasciatus mosquitoes significantly (p<0.05) varied among the homogenate filtrates, being as short as 8.02±0.76 days (tadpole) and as long as 9.73±1.29 days (Spirogyra filtrate). There was, however, no significant difference (p>0.05) in post-emergence longevity (range = 3.27±0.38 to 3.60±0.43 days) and Fluctuating Asymmetry (0.01 mm). Wing length measurement and volumes of adult mosquitoes in Spirogyra and Tilapia filtrates were significantly (p<0.05) lower than individuals from other filtrates: water lily filtrate producing mosquitoes with the longest wings and volume (3.73±0.45 mm and 51.90±0.09 mm3). The results of this study provide a better understanding of the breeding ecology of mosquitoes, as a prelude for effective biological control of mosquito larvae.