Laboratory studies on the effect of inorganic fertilizers on survival and development of immature Culex quinquefasciatus (Diptera: Culicidae)

oleh: Ephantus J. Muturi, Benjamin G. Jacob, Josephat Shililu & Robert Novak

Format: Article
Diterbitkan: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2007-12-01

Deskripsi

Background & objectives: Studies were conducted to determine the effect of ammonium sulfate(AM) and muriate of potash (MOP) fertilizers on survival and development of immature stages ofCulex quinquefasciatus Say, a major vector of Bancroftian filariasis in Africa.Methods: Twenty I instar larvae each were added in four doses of each fertilizer dissolved in one litreof deionised water and in one litre of deionised water as a control in replicates of five. The larvaewere monitored every morning throughout their life and the numbers of each instar surviving wererecorded. The experiments were discontinued when all the larvae had died or emerged into adults.Results: An analysis of variance test and Tukey’s HSD test revealed a significant impact of fertilizerson survival and development of aquatic stages of Cx. quinquefasciatus. Ammonium sulfate accountedfor up to 40% mortality rate, and one week delay in development time and this effect was both instarand dose dependent. None of the MOP dosages had significant impact on survival of immatures ofCx. quinquefasciatus and only the higher dosages showed significant impact on development timebut in significantly lower magnitudes compared with similar dosages of ammonium sulfate.Interpretation & conclusion: These findings demonstrate the toxic effect of fertilizers on immaturestages of Cx. quinquefasciatus contrary to field observations.