LABORATORY AND FIELD STUDIES ON THE BIONOMICS OF Culex quinquefasciatus SAY (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE) IN PULAU PINANG, MALAYSIA
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Date
2010-12
Authors
HAMZAH, SITI NASUHA
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Abstract
The biting cycle and seasonal abundance of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito
were studied for 14 months from February 2008 to Mac 2009 in Penang using the
bare-leg-catch technique. Twelve hours collections ( 1900-0700 hours) were
conducted to determine the biting cycle of Cx. quinquefasciatus whereas five-hour
collections (21 00-01 00 hours) were conducted to determine its seasonal abundance.
The seasonal abundance of Cx. quinquefasciatus was closely related to the
rainfall pattern in both study sites (Bayan Lepas; r = 0.948 and Juru; r = 0.591). A
correlation exists between monthly temperature and number collected in Bayan Lepas
(r = -0.646) and Juru (r = -0.513). The population of Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes
seemed to be influenced by mean monthly relative humidity in Bayan Lepas (r =
0.749) and Juru (r = 0.539). The biting cycle in both study sites showed that the
mosquitoes were active throughout the night with two distinct peaks, first between
2344 hour to 0045 hour and the second at 0345 hour. Culex quinquefasciatus
exhibited a major peak of abundance in September for both study sites which
corresponded with high rainfall.
The number of eggs per raft of the VCRU strain was significantly higher than
both the Juru and Bayan Lepas strains. When kept individually in cups only 10% to
25% female Cx. quinquefasciatus successfully reached their fourth gonotrophic
cycle. The male to female ratio of adults successfully emerged was almost 1: 1.
The artificial membrane feeding technique showed potential in mosquito
culture where 72% to 90% mosquitoes were observed engorged in this study. Blood
feeding was not influenced by blood from different host types [F(3, 16) =3 .549,
p>0.05]. The mean percentage of engorged females that laid eggs ranged from 86.4'%;'0
to 95.9% for all host blood types. An almost similar pattern of fecundity and sex ratio
were determined for Cx. quinquefasciatus fed through artificial membrane feeding
and through direct feeding techniques [F( 4,95) = 0.158, p>0.05].
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Keywords
BIONOMICS , Culex quinquefasciatus