Abstract
Density of vectors and development of resistance against insecticides are two important aspects in the control of vector-borne diseases. Here, effect of temperature on different aspects of development of malathion-resistant and susceptible strains of Culex quinquefasciatus was evaluated in the laboratory. Fourth-instar larvae of C. quinquefasciatus were exposed to 37°C, 39°C, 40°C, and 41°C, and their LT50 values calculated. The fourth-instar larvae were subjected to heat for 4 h at 39°C and live larvae were reared until the completion of life cycle. The larvae of malathion-resistant strain were more tolerant to heat than the larvae of malathion-susceptible ones. The difference in mortality between 37°C, 39°C, 40°C, and 41°C of both the strains of C. quinquefasciatus were highly significant. Pupation percentage of heat-exposed larvae of both the strains was higher and delayed than the control ones. The percentage of adult emergence from the heat-exposed larvae was significantly lower than the control. The adult female of malathion-resistant strain showed increased longevity when exposed to heat at larval stage but reverse was true in case of malathion-susceptible. The highlights of the study would help in the management of resistance of mosquito vectors in the tropics where variable climatic condition is observed.
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Acknowledgements
Thanks are acknowledged to the University Grants Commissions, New Delhi for providing financial assistance to the first author. We also acknowledge the help rendered by Mr. R. S. Sharma, Mr. S.M. Dash of the National Institute of Malaria Research, Delhi, and Mr. T. K. Barik of the Zoology Department, University of Delhi.
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Swain, V., Seth, R.K., Mohanty, S.S. et al. Effect of temperature on development, eclosion, longevity and survivorship of malathion-resistant and malathion-susceptible strain of Culex quinquefasciatus . Parasitol Res 103, 299–303 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-008-0969-5
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00436-008-0969-5