ABUNDANCE OF CULEX QUINQUEFASCIATUS SAY MOSQUITOES IN DOGBO DISTRICT IN SOUTH-WESTERN REPUBLIC OF BENIN, WEST AFRICA

Frédéric Aïzoun, Nazaire Aïzoun* and Daniel Chougourou

ABSTRACT

Background: Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes transmitted lymphatic filariasis which is a disease of significant public health importance. Objective: The current study was aimed to investigate on the abundance of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes in Dogbo district in south-western Republic of Benin, West Africa. Methodology: Larvae and pupae of Culex quinquefasciatus mosquitoes were collected by dipping method in July 2021 during the great rainy season in the locations of Ayomi, Dévé, Honton, Lokogohoué, Madjrè and Totchangni. After each of four dipping methods in four different breeding sites in each location surveyed, the number of collected mosquito larvae were accounted and recorded. During the same period, four houses were selected in each location surveyed for adult mosquito collection in the morning. Mosquitoes resting in the houses were collected by electronic racket from 6 a.m. to 7 a.m during fourteen consecutive days (two weeks). They were also accounted and recorded. Results: The results showed that a total of 596 larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus were collected in the six locations surveyed whereas a total of 7819 adult Culex quinquefasciatus were collected in an interval of fourteen consecutive days in the six locations surveyed. The mean of the number of mosquito larvae collected per dipping method in a breeding site surveyed ranged from 24 to 25 mosquito larvae whereas the mean of the number of adult mosquitoes collected by day per house surveyed ranged from 16 to 29 adult mosquitoes. Conclusion: The control planning against Culex quinquefasciatus which is vector of many diseases of significant public health importance and Anopheles gambiae which is malaria vector has to focus on breeding site elimination or treatment by improving the basic sanitary infrastructure of water supply and waste destination, as well as activities to promote community engagement within an environmental agenda.

Keywords: Dipping method, electronic racket, Culex quinquefasciatus, lymphatic filariasis, Benin.