Molecular characterization of mosquito in eastern Tripoli, Libya for species Culex pipiens, molestus and hybrids

Abstract

Our study provides a molecular tool for identification of both Culex pipiens forms and their hybrids at Souq Al-jum’aa municipality east of Tripoli district / Libya. Notably, the two forms are morphologically indistinguishable but differ extensively in behavior and physiology and have different epidemiologic importance. Mosquito samples were collected during 2016 from 10 sites within six months; molecular analysis preceded using primers designed for the flanking region of microsatellite CQ11 to identify the two forms of Culex pipiens: and molestus compared to their hybrids. The genetic analysis of collected samples indicated that Culex pipiens species had the highest distribution among the other species at percentage of 51% followed by Culex molestus at 35%, and 14% for the Hybrids. This molecular evidence was confirmative tool to establish the presence of both forms of Cx. pipiens and distinguish them between the hybrids in Souq Al-jum’aa / Tripoli district.