Vol. 1, Issue 3, Part A (2014)

Author(s): R.K. Singh, P.K. Mittal, Gaurav Kumar and R.C. Dhiman

Abstract: Temephos is used as a larvicide in urban areas in India to control the population of mosquito vectors viz. Anopheles stephensi and Aedes aegypti. The susceptibility status of Ae. aegypti and An. stephensi to temophos in various zones of Municipal Corporation of Delhi was evaluated using the WHO method for determining larval susceptibility test kit. Results revealed that the larval mortality of Ae. aegypti collected from different localities ranged between 64.88% to 98.22%. The highest mortality was recorded from Sangam Vihar (98.22%) and lowest was recorded from Majnu ka tila (64.88%). Ae. aegypti larvae collected from Sangam Vihar locality was found fully susceptible to temephos, from two localities viz. Uttam Nagar and Pitampura of study area were tolerant to temephos, and from five localities viz. Majnu ka tila, Shastri Park, Mayur Vihar II, Tilak Bridge and Nagal Dewat showed development of resistance against temephos at diagnostic concentrations. However, larval populations of An. stephensi were fully susceptible to temephos in all the localities. The present study indicates the possible development of resistance against temephos in the larvae of Ae. aegypti in some areas in Delhi.