Effect of temperature on development, eclosion, longevity and survivorship of malathion-resistant and malathion-susceptible strain of Culex quinquefasciatus

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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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