Assessment of productivity of Culex spp. larvae (Diptera: Culicidae) in urban storm water catch basin system in Wrocław (SW Poland)

Abstract

In urban environments, catch basins serve as major developmental and resting sites for anthropophilic and zoophilic mosquitoes. However, the use of this habitat is inconsistent, with abundance of larvae varying significantly across catch basins at a fine spatial scale. During seasonal summer investigations on mosquito species composition, their spatial and temporal distribution and the environmental characteristic of the breeding sites in the underground storm drain systems of the Wrocław urban area (SW Poland) were assessed from May to September in 2012–2013. The study was conducted in order to develop a rational strategy to control mosquito populations and prevent the potential human exposure to mosquito-transmitted pathogens. Mosquito larvae and pupae were collected and identified weekly from 100 regularly inspected street catch basins located in the town center. All existing and potential breeding habitats in the study area were recorded using a GPS receiver (Magellan MobileMapper CX) and transferred to the computer database. Collected data on the geographical location of inspected breeding places, water quality parameters in inspected catch basins, daily temperature, and precipitation were imposed on orthophotomap in ArcGIS (ESRI, USA). Water quality parameters including pH, electrical conductivity, and water temperature were measured by standard methods. Chemical water analysis of cations (Na+, NH4+, K+, Mg2+, Ca2+) and anions (Cl−, NO2−, NO3−, SO42−) were carried out using Waters Alliance high-performance liquid chromatograph (HPLC) 2695 with 432 Conductivity Detector and 2998 Photodiode Array Detector, an IC-Pak Anion HR column (glauconate/borate eluent) and IC-Pak Cation M/D column (EDTA/HNO3 eluent). Over two seasonal studies and 3739 samplings in total, 3669 mosquito larvae and 274 pupae/1 dip (from 0 to 110 individuals/dip) were collected by dipper. Culex pipiens s.l. (L.) and Cx. torrentium (Martini) prevailed at all catch basins of the study area as the predominant species. In all examined catch basins, autogenous individuals dominated by far. Breeding activity was first detected in early May. Peak abundance of Culex spp. population in many catch basins was observed in June 2012 and August 2013 when average daily temperatures were increasing and rainfall had declined. Dry periods between rainfalls varied during 2 years of the study period and were noted on June 2012 as well as on July and August 2013. Organically enriched catch basins with significant higher concentrations of Na+ and NO3− were found to be more productive breeding habitats. Differences in the Culex immature stage density based on the variables of habitat type, temperature, and precipitation support the need for ongoing surveillance in communities to guide public health officials in planning for and prioritizing mosquito control efforts.

Species diversity and community composition of mosquitoes in a filariasis endemic area in Banyuasin District, South Sumatra, Indonesia

“…This finding provides new insight that Culex spp. is typically favor fresh and unpolluted water in which the water is contained inorganic ions such as Na+, Mg 2+ , Ca 2+ , Cl -NO 3-, SO4 2etc (Rydzanicz et al 2016). This study which demonstrates the dominance of Cx.…”

Aedes albopictus production in urban stormwater catch basins and manhole chambers of downtown Shanghai, China

“…Stormwater infrastructure has been identified as a major source of mosquitoes in many metropolitan areas [ 19 ], especially in CBs. Rydzanicz concluded that CBs served as major development and resting sites for anthropophilic and zoophilic mosquitoes in urban Poland [ 15 ], Harbison suggested that CBs (numbers up to 200,000) are the primary source of potentially disease-carrying mosquitoes in the Chicago metropolitan area [ 19 ]. Kobayashi confirmed that catch basins were the main larval habitats in urban environments of Japan[ 20 ], and herein we have shown that this also holds true in urban Shanghai.…”

“…and Cx . torrentium was the most prevalent species in all CBs as the predominant species[ 15 ]. In China, an earlier study in Dalian located in northern China also suggested that Cx .…”

“…Numerous studies have been conducted on mosquito breeding in stormwater infrastructures for catchment and conveyance of runoff in North and South America[ 7 , 9 – 14 ], Europe[ 15 , 16 ], Oceania and South Asia [ 17 , 18 ], all of which indicated that stormwater treatment devices like CBs served as major development and resting sites for anthropophilic and zoophilic mosquitoes in urban environments. However, due to differences in usage, structural features, and locations, larval abundance varied significantly across these structures at a fine spatial scale [ 5 ].…”

Reduced productivity ofCulex pipiensandCx. restuans(Diptera: Culicidae) mosquitoes in parking area catch basins in the northeast Chicago metropolitan area

“…Their design often includes a sump or vault below the outflow pipe that collects sediments and other debris, preventing this material from entering and clogging the outflow pipes. These sumps are often deep enough to permanently hold water and as a result, provide a habitat for aquatic stages of mosquito vector species, including Culex pipiens L., Culex quinquefasciatus Say, and Culex restuans Theobald (Covell and Resh 1971, Munstermann and Craig 1977, Stockwell et al 2006, Anderson et al 2011, Rydzanicz et al 2016, Cx. quinquefasciatus (Say) (Maddock et al 1963, Rey et al 2006, Molaei et al 2007, Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Prioteasa et al 2015, Vallorani et al 2015 and Ae.…”