Vol. 7, Issue 5, Part A (2020)

Author(s): Mo’awia Mukhtar Hassan, Nawaf Daifallah Awaad Al-Salimi Al-Atawi, Mohammed Ahmed Mohmmed Medadi Kaabi, Saud Salem Eid Alatawi, Nawaf Ahmed Harban Haider and Adnan Awoda Mohammed Al-Atawi

Abstract: The study was conducted to determine the characteristics and distribution of larval habitats of Culex pipiens complex in Tabuk town, Saudi Arabia. Of 116 aquatic habitats surveyed, 48 were positive for larvae of Culex pipiens L. (76.3%) and Cx. quinquefasciatus (23.7%). Habitats formed of rain-filled pools (93.8%) and leaking underground pump (6.2%) were positive for Culex larvae. Significantly, shallow water, mud bottom, and absence of grasses, algae, and predators were the common characteristics of habitats positive for Culex larvae (P<0.05). Culex larvae were also found to thrive better in stagnant habitats that devoid of solid wastes and fully exposed to sunlight. The findings of this study will help to adopt a suitable treatment of rain-filled pools and leaking underground pumps is important for larvae source management (LSM) to control the mosquito population and reduce the possible transmission of Culex borne-diseases in the area.