INFLUENCE OF PLANT MATTER AND NPK FERTILIZER ON THE BIOLOGY OF AEDES AEGYPTI (DIPTERA: CULICIDAE)

In this laboratory study, we investigated the attractiveness of gravid Aedes aegypti females for aquatic habitats containing either NPK fertilizer or plant matter or a mixture of both. The development of larvae, adult emergence and weight of emerged adults were measured for each group and physicochemical analysis of water was made for the dosage of minerals and organic compounds. After 23 days experiment, NPK solution remained as attractive as the mixture of NPK + plant matter but did not ensure suitable development of larvae. The plant matter infusion showed less attractiveness for laying eggs than NPK but provided larvae with sufficient organic nutrients for their development. The combination of both NPK + plant matter provided the greatest attractiveness for gravid females and sufficient organic substance allowing mosquito larvae to grow. Physicochemical analyses of water containing NPK showed minerals only (NH4++NO3-+P+K) whereas plant matter showed high content of carbon and nitrogen. The NPK + plant matter mixture contained both organic and minerals elements that favoured the proliferation of bacteria and then the development of mosquito larvae. These findings could lead to the development of new traps that could attract females mosquitoes and killed hatched larvae if mix with appropriate larvicides.