Origin of blood meal sources in Culex quinquefasciatus in northern Benin

Abstract

To explore the origin of blood meal sources in Culex quinquefasciatus at Djougou, north-West of Benin, a study was carried out in four households (two in urban and two in rural areas) from August to October 2021. Four households were selected for adult’s mosquito’s collection. Therefore, Pyrethrum spray collection (PSC) method was used in the selected households from 07:00 am to 9:00 am twice a week where knocked down mosquitoes were collected and kept in Eppendorf tubes for further identification. All the mosquitoes collected were identified and classified as Culicinae or Anophelinae based on the identification keys. The origin of the blood meal in females of Cx. quinquefasciatus was determined by ELISA (Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay). A total of 13,598 mosquitoes belonging to seven different species from the collection sites was recorded. The majority (82.5%) was Cx. quinquefasciatus regardless of the areas of collection. Moreover, the majority of the of Cx. quinquefaciatus collected tested for blood meal revealed that 88.5% fed on human. The remaining fed on goat (6, 5%), beef (3%) and pork (2%). These data on the origin of blood meal sources in Cx quinquefasciatus at Djougou Benin will serve as a new tool to control Cx. quinquefasciatus.