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BACKGROUND Culex quinquefasciatus, a cosmopolitan, domestic, and highly anthropophilic mosquito, is a vector of pathogenic arboviruses such as West Nile virus and Rift Valley virus, as well as lymphatic filariasis. The current knowledge on its reproductive physiology regarding vitellogenin expression in different tissues is still limited. OBJECTIVES In this study, we analysed the transcriptional profiles of vitellogenin genes in the fat body and ovaries of C. quinquefasciatus females during the first gonotrophic cycle. METHODS C. quinquefasciatus ovaries and/or fat bodies were dissected in different times during the first gonotrophic cycle and total RNA was extracted and used for reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction, quantitative real time-PCR, and in situ hybridisation. FINDINGS We confirmed the classical descriptions of the vitellogenic process in mosquitoes by verifying that vitellogenin genes are transcribed in the fat bodies of C. quinquefasciatus females. Using RNA in situ hybridisation approach, we showed that vitellogenin genes are also transcribed in developing ovaries, specifically by the follicle cells. MAIN CONCLUSIONS This is the first time that vitellogenin transcripts are observed in mosquito ovaries. Studies to determine if Vg transcripts are translated into proteins and their contribution to the reproductive success of the mosquito need to be further investigated.
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RESUMEN Introducción: el temefos es el producto más utilizado para el tratamiento focal. Existe en diferentes formulaciones y se aplica para los depósitos de agua potable, en forma de gránulos de arena a una concentración del 1 %. Objetivo: determinar la duración de la efectividad del temefos, en su formulación costarricense Biolarv G1, en una población matancera de Culex quinquefasciatus. Materiales y métodos: se realizó un bioensayo de laboratorio, utilizando la F1 de una cepa matancera de Culex quinquefasciatus, la que se sometió a los efectos del Biolarv G1, lote 1180829. Se utilizaron tres variantes de recambio de agua potable. Resultados: la efectividad fue del 100 % de mortalidad larvaria hasta el 7º día en el recambio del 100 % de agua. Para el recambio del 50 % de agua, la mortalidad promedio del 1º al 17º día fue del 97,5 %. En el caso del recambio del 30 % de agua, la mortalidad fue del 100 % hasta el 27º día. Conclusiones: se demostró que el temefos, en su formulación Biolarv G1, puede tener mayor efectividad en recambios del 30 % de agua, con una durabilidad de alrededor de 30 días, lo que propicia la protección de los depósitos durante los ciclos de trabajo diseñados para la vigilancia y lucha antivectorial en Cuba.
ABSTRACT Introduction: temefos is the most widely used product for focal treatment. It exists in different formulations and is applied for drinking water tanks, in the form of sand-like granules at a concentration of 1 %. Objective: to determine the duration of temefos effectiveness, in its Costa Rican formulation Biolarv G1, in a Matanzas population of Culex quinquefasciatus. Materials and methods: a laboratory bioassay was performed, using the F1 of a Matanzas strain of Culex quinquefasciatus, which was subjected to the effects of Biolarv G1, lot 1180829. Three variants of drinking water replacement were used. Results: the effectiveness was 100% of larval mortality until the 7th day when 100 % of wáter was replaced. For the replacement of 50 % of water, average mortality was 97.5 % from the 1st to the 17th day. In the case of 30 % water replacement, mortality was 100 % up to the 27th day. Conclusions: it was shown that temefos, in its formulation Biolarv G1, can be more effective in replacements of 30 % of water, with a durability of about 30 days, which facilitates the protection of reservoirs during work cycles designed for surveillance and anti-vector control in Cuba.
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Abstract In this paper, the chemical constituents, larvicidal and antimicrobial activities of hydrodistilled essential oils from Zingiber castaneum Škorničk. & Q.B. Nguyễn and Zingiber nitens M.F. Newman were reported. The main constituents of Z. castaneum leaf were bicyclogermacrene (24.8%), germacrene D (12.9%), cis-β-elemene (11.2%) and β-pinene (10.3%), while sabinene (22.9%) and camphene (21.2%) were the significant compounds in the rhizome. However, the dominant compounds in the leaf of Z. nitens includes β-pinene (45.8%) and α-pinene (10.7%). Terpinen-4-ol (77.9%) was the most abundant compound of the rhizome. Z. castaneum rhizome oil displayed larvicidal activity against Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus with LC50 values of 121.43 and 88.86 µg/mL, respectively, at 24 h. The leaf oil exhibited activity with LC50 values of 39.30 µg/mL and 84.97 µg/mL, respectively. Also, the leaf and rhizome oils of Z. nitens displayed greater larvicidal action towards Ae. aegypti with LC50 values of 17.58 µg/mL and 29.60 µg/mL, respectively. Only the rhizome oil displayed toxicity against Cx. quinquefasciatus with LC50 value of 64.18 µg/mL. All the studied essential oils inhibited the growth of Pseudomonas aeruginosa ATCC25923 with minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) value of 50.0 µg/mL. This paper provides information on the larvicidal and antimicrobial potentials of Z. castaneum and Z. nitens essential oils.
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Se evaluó la eficiencia de la trampa Mosquito Magnet Liberty PlusTM (MMLP) cebada con los atrayentes químicos 1-octen-3-ol (octenol) y Lurex 3TM (L-ácido láctico) junto con dióxido de carbono (CO2) para recolectar anofelinos en la localidad Ye'kwana de Boca de Nichare, municipio Sucre, estado Bolívar, Venezuela. La trampa fue operada entre las 18:00 y 06:00 horas, durante 10 noches por mes, durante cuatro meses (Julio Octubre, 2015), alternándose cada noche el atrayente. A fin de caracterizar la actividad nocturna de los anofelinos, cada cuatro horas se cambiaba la jaulita donde eran atrapados los mosquitos. Se capturaron cinco especies de Anopheles y cuatro de Culicinae, siendo las más abundantes, Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) darlingi Root y Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) oswaldoi (Peryassú) sensu lato. El ANOVA factorial no paramétrico de Transformación de Rangos Alineados para la variable atrayente y sus interacciones con especie e intervalo horario no fueron estadísticamente significativas (p > 0.05). Estas especies muestran comportamientos diferentes: An. darlingi tiene el pico de actividad nocturna entre las 22:00 y 02:00 horas, mientras que en An. oswaldoi s.l. se observa un incremento de la actividad nocturna progresivamente que se mantiene durante el intervalo 02:00-06:00 horas. Los resultados permiten concluir que la trampa MMLP cebada con octenol o Lurex es un método alternativo de recolección de mosquitos para la vigilancia entomológica en áreas maláricas remotas con población indígena. La actividad horaria de los vectores An. darlingi y An. oswaldoi s.l. sugiere que el uso de mosquiteros tratados con insecticidas puede resultar un método efectivo para el control de la transmisión de malaria en esta zona del país(AU)
The efficiency of the Mosquito Magnet Liberty PlusTM (MMLP) trap was evaluated baited with the chemical attractants 1-octen-3-ol (octenol) and Lurex3M (L-lactic acid) together with carbon dioxide (CO2) to collect anophelines in the Amerindian village Boca de Nichare, Sucre municipality, Bolívar State, Venezuela. The trap was operated between 18:00 and 06: hours, 10 nights per month for four months (July-October 2015), the attractants were alternated nightly. To determine the host seeking behavior of anophelines, the trap cage was changed every 4 hours. Five species of Anopheles and four of Culicinae were collected; Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) darlingi Root and Anopheles oswaldoi (Peryassú) sensu lato were the most abundant species collected. The Align Rank Transform (ART) test for nonparametric ANOVA for the variable attractant and its interactions with species and hour interval were not significant (p > 0.05). An. darlingi and An. oswaldoi s.l. showed contrasting host seeking activity: An. darlingi showed a peak between 22:00 and 02:00 hours, while in An. oswaldoi s.l. there was a steady increase in activity up to the interval 02:00-06:00 hours. The MMLP trap baited either with octenol or Lurex is an alternative method for entomological surveillance in remote Amerindian malaria endemic areas. The biting activity of the vectors An. darlingi and An. oswaldoi s.l. suggests that the use of long-lasting insecticide treated nets could be an effective method to control the transmission of malaria in this area(AU)
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Animals , Venezuela , Indigenous Peoples , Environmental Health , Public HealthABSTRACT
@#Plants contain bioactive compounds and are constantly explored as safer alternatives to conventional insecticides. Despite numerous studies on many plants, information on the insecticidal potential of underutilised plants like tiger nut, Cyperus esculentus L., are scant, although their pharmacological potentials are well known. Hence, this study investigated the larvicidal potential of crude aqueous extracts of two C. esculentus varieties (black and yellow) on the mosquitoes Aedes aegypti (L.) and Culex quinquefasciatus (Say). Mosquito larvae were exposed to C. esculentus crude extracts using the larval bioassay technique of the World Health Organization. Differential larvicidal responses were observed in the test mosquitoes and extracts of Black Dried Tiger nuts (BDT) were more larvicidal than Yellow Dried Tiger nuts (YDT). Acute larval toxicity of the extracts was more pronounced on Cx. quinquefasciatus than Ae. aegypti. The results indicate the potential of C. esculentus (particularly BDT) as a source of mosquito bioinsecticide and merits further studies as a safer alternative to conventional insecticide-based vector control.
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Aim:The methanol extracts of fifteen plants and their partitioned fractions were screened for larvicidal activity against the fourth instar of larvae Culex quinquefasciatus, the vector of lymphatic filariasiswith a view to identifying the active ones.Methodology:The plant parts were collected,separatelydried and milled. Each powdered material was extracted in methanol at room temperature for 3 days, with agitation. The extract was filtered and concentrated in vacuo. Each extract was tested against the fourth instar larvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus. The methanol extracts were suspended in water and successively partitioned into n-hexane and ethylacetate. Each partitioned fraction was also tested against the fourth instarlarvae of Cx. quinquefasciatus.Results:About fifty six percent (56.3%) of the tested extracts had moderate larvicidal activity after 48 hours. The fruitextract of Thevetia neriifoliaand the leaf extracts of Calotropis procera andOriginal Research Article Solanum macrocarpon were the most active. After partitioning the methanol extracts, each of the plant extracts had one or two highly active partitioned fractions after 48 hours. The n-hexane fractions of S. macrocarpon(0.78 ± 0.03 mg/mL) and Spondias mombin(0.81 ± 0.03 mg/mL) were the most active.Conclusion:The non-polar fractions of S. macrocarponand S. mombinwere the most active. Purification of these highly active fractions could lead to the isolation of potent larvicidal compounds that could be used in the control of Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquito
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Plant products have been tested as insecticides against mosquitoes as they are promising candidates to replace conventional insecticides. This study was carried out to evaluate the larvicidalpotential of ethanol extract of the aerial parts of Diplazium esculentumagainst Anopheles gambiaeand Culex quinquefasciatus. Ethanol extract of the aerial parts of D. esculentumwas screened for its phytochemical constituents and used for larvicidal assay. A stock solution of the extract (5g in Original Research Article Umohata et al.; IJTDH, 41(3): 40-47, 2020; Article no.IJTDH.5566841100ml of water) was prepared. From the stock solution, 0.45, 0.60, 0.75, 0.90 and 1.05%w/v concentrations of the extract were obtained for the study. Each concentration of the extract had 3 replicates. The control was also replicated. Twenty (20) third instar larvae each of Anopheles gambiae andCulex quinquefasciatuswere separately exposed to each extract concentration for a duration of 48 hours. Larval nutrient was added to each experimental set up. Observations were made after 24 and 48 hours exposure period.Phytochemical screening revealed the presence of some plant metabolites. Mortality of larvae exposed to the extract increased with increased concentration and exposure time. This study revealed a differential susceptibility of larvae of the two mosquito species to the extract as evident by the 24h LC50values obtained which were 0.355 and 2.468%w/v for An. gambiaeand Cx.quinquefasciatus respectively. Exposure of An. gambiaelarvae to the extract resulted in 100% mortality even with the least concentration of 0.45%w/v after 48 hours exposure period while the highest concentration of extract (1.05%w/v) resulted in 53.33% mortality of Cx.quinquefasciatuslarvae, after an exposure period of 48 hours. Results obtained from this study suggest that the aerial parts of D. esculentumif further explored would be useful in the control of An. gambiae andCx.quinquefasciatus.
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Abstract INTRODUCTION: The larvicidal potential of Saussurea costus (Falc.) Lipsch. was studied against the early 4th instar larvae of Anopheles stephensi Liston., Aedes aegypti Linn.,and Culex quinquefasciatus Say. because of the emergence of mosquito resistance to conventional synthetic insecticides. METHODS: At concentrations of 12.5-200 ppm, larvicidal activities were studied under laboratory conditions. RESULTS: After 24 h of exposure, the methanol extract of the roots recorded the highest larvicidal activity against An. stephensi, with LC50 and LC90values of 7.96 and 34.39 ppm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We are developing potent larvicidal compound(s) from S. costus for controlling the mosquito larval population.
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Animals , Plant Extracts/pharmacology , Aedes/drug effects , Culex/drug effects , Saussurea/chemistry , Insecticides/pharmacology , Larva/drug effects , Anopheles/drug effects , Insecticides/isolation & purificationABSTRACT
Abstract INTRODUCTION: Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus are vector species responsible for the transmission of important arboviruses. METHODS: Adult mosquitoes were collected in the urban areas of four municipalities in Mato Grosso within 1 year. RESULTS: A total of 19,110 mosquitoes were collected. Among them, 16,578 (86,8%) were C. quinquefasciatus (44% female and 56% male); 2,483 (13%), A. (Stegomyia) aegypti (54% female and 46% male); and 49 (0,30%), from the genus Psorophora, Anopheles, Coquilettidia, and Sabethes. A significant correlation was observed between the number of mosquitoes from all species and dew point (female mosquitoes, p = 0.001; male mosquitoes, p = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study may be used as environmental indicators of mosquito populations.
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Animals , Male , Female , Climate , Aedes/physiology , Culex/physiology , Mosquito Vectors/physiology , Urban Population , BrazilABSTRACT
Objective: To test the mosquitocidal potential of leaf extracts of Pouteria campechiana prepared with different solvents and elucidate the structure of an isolated mosquitocidal compound. Methods: The leaf extracts of Pouteria campechiana prepared with three solvents (petroleum benzene, ethyl acetate and acetone) and potential bioactive fractions were tested against various stages of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus by using the WHO protocols, and the chemical profile and its functional groups were identified by GC-MS and Fourier transmission-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The structure of bioactive compound was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral technique. Results: The preliminary phytochemical results revealed the presence of alkaloids, amino acids, flavonoids, quinones, saponins, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids in the acetone extract. A significant toxic potential was observed in the acetone extract against both Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. The acetone extract exhibits remarkable larvicidal (LC
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Objective: To synthesize silver nanoparticles with Colocasia esculenta as a reducing agent and to evaluate their effect against Culex quinquefasciatus and Chironomus sp. Methods: The aqueous extract of Colocasia esculenta stem was used for nanosynthesis. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Zeta potential studies. The toxicity of Colocasia esculenta stem extract and the synthesized silver nanoparticles was evaluated against the larval stages of target human filarial vector Culex quinquefasciatus and non-target Chironomus sp. Results: Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy studies revealed almost spherical shape of the synthesized silver nanoparticles with size ranging from 13-50 nm. After 24 hours of exposure, the LC
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Abstract INTRODUCTION: The ability of Vitex trifolia and Vitex negundo essential oils to kill Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus larvae was evaluated. METHODS: The larvae were treated with their respective essential oils at 50-125 ppm concentration. RESULTS: LC50 and LC90 for V. trifolia against Ae. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus, and those for V. negundo against Ae. aegypti were 57.7+0.4, 77.9+0.9 ppm and 55.17+3.14, 78.28+2.23 ppm, and 50.86+0.9, 73.12+1.3 ppm, respectively. Eucalyptol and caryophyllene were the major components in Vitex trifolia and Vitex negundo essential oil, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed potential larvicidal properties of essential oil from V. trifolia.
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Animals , Oils, Volatile/pharmacology , Aedes/drug effects , Vitex/chemistry , Mosquito Vectors/drug effects , Insecticides/pharmacology , Larva/drug effects , Oils, Volatile/isolation & purification , Insecticides/isolation & purification , Lethal Dose 50ABSTRACT
Objective: To test the mosquitocidal potential of leaf extracts of Pouteria campechiana prepared with different solvents and elucidate the structure of an isolated mosquitocidal compound. Methods: The leaf extracts of Pouteria campechiana prepared with three solvents (petroleum benzene, ethyl acetate and acetone) and potential bioactive fractions were tested against various stages of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus by using the WHO protocols, and the chemical profile and its functional groups were identified by GC-MS and Fourier transmission-infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The structure of bioactive compound was characterized by nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectral technique. Results: The preliminary phytochemical results revealed the presence of alkaloids, amino acids, flavonoids, quinones, saponins, steroids, tannins, and terpenoids in the acetone extract. A significant toxic potential was observed in the acetone extract against both Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes. The acetone extract exhibits remarkable larvicidal (LC50: 12.232 μg/mL and LC90: 63.970 μg/mL), pupicidal (LC50: 18.949 μg/mL and LC,0: 167.669 μg/mL) and adulticidal (LC50: 20.689 μg/mL and LC90: 72.881 μg/mL) effects against Aedes aegypti. Furthermore, the same extract was subjected to isolation of bioactive compound by GC- MS and FT-IR analysis. GC-MS results showed the presence of 5 major compounds, and octacosane (18.440%) was detected as the predominant compound. The FT-IR result of acetone extract demonstrated the presence of various functional groups like alkanes/alkynes, ester, aromatic and amides. The NMR spectrum results of isolated compound were well matched to glycoside linked flavonoids. Based on the chromatography and spectral techniques the isolate molecule was identified as myricitrin by FT-IR and nuclear magnetic resonance spectral data. Conclusion: The isolated compound myricitrin possesses a significant toxic effect in all stages of Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito's with lowest LC50 and LC90 values.
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Objective: To synthesize silver nanoparticles with Colocasia esculenta as a reducing agent and to evaluate their effect against Culex quinquefasciatus and Chironomus sp. Methods: The aqueous extract of Colocasia esculenta stem was used for nanosynthesis. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized by UV-Vis spectrophotometry, Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscope, transmission electron microscopy, energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction and Zeta potential studies. The toxicity of Colocasia esculenta stem extract and the synthesized silver nanoparticles was evaluated against the larval stages of target human filarial vector Culex quinquefasciatus and non-target Chironomus sp. Results: Scanning electron microscopy and transmission electron microscopy studies revealed almost spherical shape of the synthesized silver nanoparticles with size ranging from 13-50 nm. After 24 hours of exposure, the LC50 and LC90 of the plant extract against 4th instars larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus were 745.56 mg/L and 1258.28 mg/L, respectively, which were higher than those of synthesized silver nanoparticles (5.17 mg/L and 17.32 mg/L after 24 h; 1.58 mg/L and 13.01 mg/L after 48 h). In addition, the LC50 and LC90 of silver nanoparticles against Chironomus sp. were 9.71 mg/L and 23.15 mg/L after 24 h as well as 2.38 mg/L and 19.49 mg/ L after 48 h, respectively. Conclusions: The aqueous stem extract of Colocasia esculenta is a good agent for synthesis of silver nanoparticles, which are almost spherical with size less than 30 nm. The synthesized nanoparticles show good larvicidal activity without any harmful effect on non-target species.
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Background & objectives: Different formulations of Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis (Bti) have been tested against different mosquito vectors and other insects for their residual activity. In the present study, the efficacy and residual activity of a new formulation of Bti (Bactivec Suspension Concentrate) were evaluated against immature stages of Anopheles stephensi Liston (Diptera: Culicidae), Aedes aegypti Linnaeus (Diptera: Culicidae) and Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae), in natural habitats in Phase II and Phase III in Bengaluru, India. Methods: Preferential breeding habitats of the mosquito species were selected and four dosages (0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 ml/50 l) were tested in Phase II trial. Two most effective dosages, 0.5 and 1 ml/50 l were selected for Phase III trial. The evaluation was carried out essentially following the guidelines of the World Health Organization Pesticide Evaluation Scheme. Pre-treatment and post-treatment densities were recorded at regular intervals, and >80 per cent reduction in pupae was taken as the duration of effectiveness. Results: Bactivec SC treated at the dosage of 1 ml/50 l could produce 10-17 days efficacy (>80% reduction in pupae) in clean water habitats tested, whereas 0.5 ml/50 l dosage showed residual activity from 7 to 14 days against Ae. aegypti and An. stephensi in Phase III studies. In polluted water habitats, 4-7 days efficacy could be recorded against Cx. quinquefasciatus in Phase III. Interpretation & conclusions: The Bactivec SC formulation was operationally feasible and easy to handle. For the control of Anopheles and Aedes mosquitoes in freshwater habitats, 1 ml/50 l dosage was found effective, whereas in polluted water habitats against Cx. quinquefasciatus 5 ml/m2 was found effective.
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Background & objectives: Biolarvicides may offer alternatives to chemical larvicides as these are known to be safe to environment and selective against the target species. However, only a limited number of biolarvicides have been approved for mosquito larval control. In the current study, a new formulation of spinosad, 20 per cent emulsifiable concentrate (EC) was tested for its efficacy against Culex quinquefasciatus, in comparison to its 12 per cent suspension concentrate (SC). Methods: Spinosad 20 per cent EC was tested against Cx. quinquefasciatus immature at 25, 50, 100 and 150 mg active ingredient (ai)/m[2] in cesspits, drains and abandoned wells in comparison with spinosad 12 per cent SC at the optimum field application dosage of 50 mg ai/m[2]. Results: The 20 per cent EC caused 90-100 per cent reduction of pupal density for 7-14 days in cesspits, 10-17 days in drains and 14-30 days in abandoned wells at all dosages tested. At lower dosages of 25 and 50 mg ai/m[2], >90 per cent reduction of pupal density was observed for one week in cesspits and street drains and for two weeks in abandoned wells. The effective duration of control provided by the higher dosages, 100 and 150 mg ai/m[2] was 1.4 to 2 times greater than the lower dosages, 25 and 50 mg ai/m[2]. Interpretation & conclusions: The findings showed that the spinosad 20 per cent EC can be used for larval control against Cx. quinquefasciatus, at the dosage of 25 mg ai/m[2] at weekly interval in cesspits and drains and at fortnightly interval in abandoned wells. Spinosad 20 per cent EC could be one of the options to be considered for larval control under integrated vector management.
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Objective: To evaluate the larvicidal efficacy of crude and fractionated extracts of Dracaena loureiri endocarp against Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Anopheles minimus mosquitos. Methods: Larvicidal activity was tested according to World Health Organization standard protocol. The third-stage larvae of each mosquito species were exposed to various concentrations of Dracaena loureiri crude extract and six groups of Dracaena loureiri fractionated extracts (RC-DT 009-014). Larval mortality rates were observed after 24 h and 48 h of exposure. Then, a computerized probit analysis of the mortality data was performed to determine lethal concentration 50 (LC
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Objective: To evaluate the larvicidal efficacy of crude and fractionated extracts of Dracaena loureiri endocarp against Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, and Anopheles minimus mosquitos. Methods: Larvicidal activity was tested according to World Health Organization standard protocol.The third-stage larvae of each mosquito species were exposed to various concentrations of Dracaena loureiri crude extract and six groups of Dracaena loureiri fractionated extracts (RC-DT 009–014). Larval mortality rates were observed after 24 h and 48 h of exposure.Then, a computerized probit analysis of the mortality data was performed to determine lethal concentration 50 (LC50) and lethal concentration 90 values. Results: Anopheles minimus larvae (24-h LC5077.88 mg/L) had the highest susceptibility to crude extract, whereas others (Aedes aegypti, 24-h LC50224.73 mg/L; Aedes albopictus, 24-h LC50261.75 mg/L; and Culex quinquefasciatus, 24-h LC50282.86 mg/L) were significantly less susceptible. The most effective groups of fractionated extracts were RC-DT 012 and RC-DT 013. The mosquito species most susceptible to fractionated extracts was Culex quinquefasciatus, with 24-h LC50 values of 0.66 and 0.94 mg/L for RC-DT 012 and RC-DT 013, respectively. Conclusions: The larvicidal activity of fractionated extracts is more effective than that of crude extract against all tested mosquito species. For the most effective alternative larvicide, purification and a phytochemical constituent analysis must be performed.
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Resumen Introducción. Aedes aegypti es el vector de los virus del dengue, la fiebre amarilla, el Zika y el chikungunya, y Culex quinquefasciatus, de los virus de la encefalitis de Saint Louis y de la del Oeste del Nilo. Objetivo. Evaluar la capacidad infecciosa de Heterorhabditis bacteriophora N4 en larvas de C. quinquefasciatus y A. aegypti en el laboratorio. Materiales y métodos. Treinta larvas de segundo estadio de cada especie de mosquito se expusieron a diferentes dosis (0:1, 1:1, 5:1, 15:1, 100:1, 500:1, 750:1 y 1.500:1) de ejemplares juveniles infectivos del nematodo. Se hicieron cuatro réplicas por dosis. Resultados. El parasitismo varió entre 2,5 y 80 % en C. quinquefasciatus y entre 4,2 y 92,5 % en A. aegypti, con diferencias significativas entre las dosis (p<0,0001). Las DL50 fueron de 160,8 ejemplares juveniles infectivos por larva de C. quinquefasciatus y 113,6 por larva de A. aegypti; 4 a 6 % de los ejemplares juveniles infectivos llegaron a la fase adulta en C. quinquefasciatus, y 12 a 61 % en A. aegypti. Nuevos ejemplares juveniles infectivos aparecieron a partir de la dosis de 100:1. En A. aegypti aparecieron solo con dosis superiores a esta y, en C. quinquefasciatus, con una dosis de 1500:1. Se observó melanización de los ejemplares juveniles infectivos en las dos especies de mosquitos. Conclusión. Se estableció la sensibilidad de estas especies de mosquitos al parasitismo producido por un aislamiento autóctono de H. bacteriophora en condiciones de laboratorio y su potencial efecto como agente de control biológico.
Abstract Introduction: Aedes aegypti is the vector of dengue, yellow fever, Zika and Chikungunya viruses, and Culex quinquefasciatus is the vector of St. Louis and West Nile encephalitis viruses. Objective: To evaluate infectivity of Heterorhabditis bacteriophora N4 in C. quinquefasciatus and A. aegypti larvae under laboratory conditions. Materials and methods: Thirty second-instar larvae of the two mosquito species were exposed each to different doses (0:1, 1:1, 5:1, 15:1, 100:1, 500:1, 750:1 and 1,500:1) of nematode infective juveniles. Four replications per dose were performed. Results: Parasitism varied between 2.5 and 80 % in C. quinquefasciatus, and between 4.2 and 92.5 % in A. aegypti, with significant differences between doses (p<0.0001). DL50 were: 160.8 infective juveniles per larva for C. quinquefasciatus and 113.6 infective juveniles per larva for A. aegypti. In C. quinquefasciatus, 4 to 6 % of the infective juveniles developed to adults and in A. aegypti, 12- 61 %. In A. aegypti the emergence of new infective juveniles occurred with 100:1, 500:1, 750:1 and 1,500:1 infective juveniles per larva, and in C. quinquefasciatus, with 1,500:1 infective juveniles per larva. Melanization of infective juveniles was observed in both mosquito species. Conclusion: The susceptibility of these mosquito species to parasitism of an indigenous isolate of H. bacteriophora in the laboratory was demonstrated. Heterorhabditis bacteriophora N4 could be an efficient biological control agent.
Subject(s)
Animals , Strongyloidea/physiology , Pest Control, Biological/methods , Mosquito Control/methods , Aedes , Culex , Mosquito Vectors , Aedes/parasitology , Aedes/growth & development , Culex/parasitology , Culex/growth & development , Mosquito Vectors/parasitology , Mosquito Vectors/growth & development , Larva/parasitology , Lethal Dose 50ABSTRACT
Zika virus (ZIKV) is widely distributed in Brazil and the Northeast Region (NE) is the most affected zone, showing the highest incidence of microcephaly associated with ZIKV congenital infections worldwide. We report attempts to infect three populations of Culex quinquefasciatus from severely affected sites in the NE and Southeast Region (SE) of Brazil with three strains of ZIKV isolated from these localities. An Aedes aegypti population from the SE was used as a positive control. All tested Cx. quinquefasciatus populations were refractory to the ZIKV isolates. For these reasons, we believe Cx. quinquefasciatus should not be considered a potential vector of ZIKV in Brazil.