Larvicidal Effects of Citrus Peels Extracts against Culex Pipiens Mosquitoes

Background: Mosquitoes transmit severe diseases such as malaria, lymphatic filariasis, dengue fever, and yellow fever. These diseases result in significant morbidity and mortality in humans around the world. This study aimed to provide information on the larvicidal potential of different Citrus species peels against Culex mosquito larvae.Methods: Ethanol extracts of the peels of four Citrus species, such as Citrus sinensis (sweet orange), Citrus reticulata (tangerine), Citrus latifolia (lime), and Citrus paradisi (grape) fruits were tested for larvicidal properties against Culex pipiens at different concentration (3 mg, 5 mg, 7 mg and 8 mg in 100 mL) on 25 larva per concentration. Percentage mortality was recorded for each of the concentrations used. Results: Only Culex latifolia induced the death of all the mosquito larvae (100%) at 5 mg/mL concentration of the extract, meanwhile Culex reticulata resulted in the lowest mortality rate (80%). However, a hundred percent (100%) mortality of the larvae, was observed at 8 mg/mL of all the types of extracts evaluated.Conclusion: The result indicates that the peels of these Citrus species, especially Culex latifolia, hold potential for control of Culex pipiens mosquito larvae

Molecular characterization and Plasmodium falciparum transmission risks of Anopheles mosquitoes in Malete, Nigeria

Introduction: Studies on malaria vector surveillance are useful for evidence-based control in specific communities. Such studies are lacking in Malete, a rapidly growing peri-urban community in Nigeria. Objective: To assess sibling species identity, human blood indices, and Plasmodium falciparum transmission risks by Anopheles mosquitoes, in Malete. Methods: I collected endophilic mosquitoes quarterly from inhabited houses using the pyrethrum spray catch technique. I identified the mosquitoes, and probed for the presence of human blood and P. falciparum, using standard PCR and ELISA methods, respectively. Results: Anopheles mosquitoes (90%) were the most abundant compared to Culex (10%) and Mansonia (0,5%). Specifically, A. gambiae (85%) were predominant over A. coluzzii (11%) and A. arabiensis (3%). The Anopheles sibling species had generally high human blood indices (≥0,82). However, A. gambiae man-biting rates (0,92-3,64) were higher than A. coluzzii (0-0,84) and A. arabiensis (0-0,27). Plasmodium falciparum sporozoite infection (3%) was found only in A. gambiae. Conclusion: While P. falciparum infection was 3%, long-lasting insecticidal nets should be deployed for control in Malete, particularly of A. gambiae

Comparative studies of the feeding capacity and preference of Aphyosemion gularis (Boulenger 1901) on some aquatic macroinvertebrates

ABSTRACT Background & objectives: An efficient larvivorous fish must show a predilection for mosquito larvae in the presence of alternative preys. This study compares the feeding capacity and preference of Aphyosemion gularis exposed to different kinds of aquatic macroinvertebrates

Skilled Hands in Turbulent Winds: Entrepreneurial Skills and New Venture Performance in Conflict-Ridden Northern Nigeria

This paper investigated the relationship between entrepreneurial training, entrepreneurial skills and new venture performance in Northern Nigeria where, in recent years, Boko Haram terrorist insurgency has precipitated a severe humanitarian crisis and a high level of disruption to economic activities. The study is based on new survey data from a representative sample of 331 undergraduate entrepreneurs, analysed using Structural Equation Modelling and Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) regression. The results show that there is significant impact of entrepreneurship education on business performance partially mediated by entrepreneurial skills. The findings of this study also show that entrepreneurial skills are a significant moderator of the relationship between perceived environmental turbulence and new venture performance. These suggest that enhanced skills make a difference on business survival and performance amid the uncertainty, market disruption, and physical danger precipitated by the insurgency. Finally, the paper highlights the need for entrepreneurship education programmes to be designed around specific skills requirements and the peculiarities of the local contexts

Surveillance and insecticide susceptibility status of Culicine mosquitoes in selected communities utilizing long-lasting insecticidal nets in Kwara state, Nigeria

Vector control programs in Nigeria are mostly targeted towards reducing the burden ofmalaria with less emphasis placed on other debilitating vector borne diseases such asdengue, yellow fever and filariasis. This study assessed the indoor resting densities andinsecticide susceptibility status of Culex and Aedes mosquitoes in selected communitiesutilizing long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLIN) in Kwara State, Nigeria. Pyrethrum spraycollections of indoor resting Aedes and Culex mosquitoes were conducted in threecommunities while adults of both mosquito species reared from larval collections wereexposed to pyrethroid, organochlorine, and carbamate insecticides following WHOprocedure. Results showed that the higher indoor resting densities of Culexquinquefasciatus (2.5 – 3.4) collected were not significantly (p>0.05) different from theAedes aegypti (0.3 – 1.3) in all the communities. Carbamate resistance (≤ 81 % postexposure mortalities) was observed in both Culex (Ilota and Amoyo) and Aedespopulations (Gaa-Bolorunduro). Aedes in Gaa-Bolorunduro and Ilota were fullysusceptible (100 % mortality) to permethrin and DDT while the Culex population showeddifferential susceptibility (64 – 100%) to pyrethroid and organochlorine insecticidestested. These findings show focal insecticide resistance requiring specific intervention ineach community based on the evidence provided by this study. Pyrethroid resistancestatus of the Culex quinquefasciatus in these areas may result in access of the vectors tonet occupants leading to lower LLIN utilization rates among users. Environmentalmanagement strategy in addition to the use of effective insecticide will be most probablefor management of vector borne diseases in these localities.Keywords: Insecticide resistance, Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, LLIN, Dengue, LymphaticFilariasis, Kwara State, Nigeri

Bedbug (Cimex lectularius) infestation and its control practices in two selected settlements in Ilorin, Kwara State, Nigeria

Bedbugs are cosmopolitan insects of public health importance. Their characteristic biting and blood feeding activities result in both physical symptoms and psychological distress in affected hosts. This study investigated the incidence of bedbug and control practices among students and indigenes living in two different settlements in Ilorin, Nigeria. Bedbug were surveyed and collected from household materials from fifty apartments randomly selected from each of the new and old student hostels and family houses in Tanke and Oja-Oba area of Ilorin. Bedbugs collected were persevered in 70 % alcohol and identified using taxonomic keys. A structured questionnaire was used to obtain information on respondent’s demography, perception about bedbug infestation and control practices in sampled houses in the study areas. Sampled data were analysis using percentages. Results from the survey revealed that the number of respondents with knowledge of bedbug was not significant (p>0.05) compared with those without. Family houses in indigenous Oja-Oba study location were the only site with bed-bug infestation. Higher numbers of bedbugs were collected on mattresses. Out of the 200 respondents, 20 (10 %) employed the use of chemical method in bedbug control and precisely, 12 (60%) of these use a locally made formulation named otapiapia. The intensity of infestation in Oja-Oba and insignificant knowledge of bedbug among the respondents suggest the need to raise the level of public awareness and also canvass for an improved living conditions in the affected areas.Keywords: Bedbug, Cimex lectularius, Infestation, Control practices, Ilori

Mind the weather: a report on inter-annual variations in entomological data within a rural community under insecticide-treated wall lining installation in Kwara State, Nigeria

Abstract Background Entomological indices within a specific area vary with climatic factors such as rainfall, temperature and relative humidity. Contributions of such weather parameter fluctuations to the changes in entomological data obtained within a community under implementation of a promising vector control intervention should be taken into account. This study reports on inter-annual changes in entomological indices within two rural communities, one of which was under insecticide-treated durable wall lining (DL) installation. Methods Community-wide DL installation was followed by monthly meteorological data and pyrethrum spray mosquito collections for 2 years in intervention and a similar neighbouring community (control). Human blood meal and sporozoite ELISA tests were conducted on female mosquitoes collected alongside PCR identification of subsamples. Mosquitoes collected at the intervention site were tested in cone susceptibility assays against subsamples of installed DL materials collected on a 6-monthly basis for 2 years. Deltamethrin susceptibility of Anopheles mosquitoes from the intervention site was determined before and after DL installation. Entomological indices in the first and second years were compared within each site. Results Rainfall in the study area increased significantly (t = -3.45, df = 11, P = 0.005) from first to second year. Correlation between rainfall and Anopheles densities in both sites were significant (r = 0.681, P < 0.001). Mosquitoes collected at the intervention site were susceptible (100%) to deltamethrin at baseline but resistant (92%) in the second year. However, subsamples of installed DL materials remained effective (100% mortality) against Anopheles mosquitoes from the intervention site throughout the 6-monthly cone assay exposures. Monthly pyrethrum spray collections showed significant increase in Anopheles densities from first to second year in the control (6.36 ± 1.61 vs 7.83 ± 2.39; t = -3.47, df = 11, P = 0.005), but not in the intervention (2.83 ± 1.86 vs 4.23 ± 3.31; t = -2.03, df = 11, P = 0.067) community. However, mean annual mosquito man-biting rates increased significantly in both intervention (0.88 ± 0.18 vs 1.06 ± 0.38; F (1, 10) = 9.50, P = 0.012) and control (1.45 ± 0.31 vs 1.61 ± 0.34; F (1, 10) = 10.18, p = 0.010) sites along with increase (≥ 1.6 times) in sporozoite rates within intervention (0–2.13%) and control (2.56–4.04%) communities. Conclusions The slight increase in vector density, induced by significant increase in rainfall, led to increased sporozoite infection and significantly increased man-biting rates within the intervention site. These reveal the need for incorporation of integrated vector management strategies to complement DL installation especially in regions with high rainfall and mosquito density. Promising vector control tools such as DL should be evaluated on a long-term basis to reveal the possible effect of weather parameters on control performance and also allow for holistic recommendations

Outcome of capacity building intervention for malaria vector surveillance, control and research in Nigerian higher institutions

Abstract Background Despite the availability of effective malaria vector control intervention tools, implementation of control programmes in Nigeria is challenged by inadequate entomological surveillance data. This study was designed to assess and build the existing capacity for malaria vector surveillance, control and research (MVSC&R) in Nigerian institutions. Methods Application call to select qualified candidates for the capacity building (CB) intervention training programme was advertised in a widely read newspaper and online platforms of national and international professional bodies. Two trainings were organized to train selected applicants on field activities, laboratory tools and techniques relevant to malaria vector surveillance and control research. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics of participants, knowledge and access of participants to field and laboratory techniques in MVSC&R. Similarly, pre and post-intervention tests were conducted to assess the performance and improvement in knowledge of the participants. Mentoring activities to sustain CB activities after the training were also carried out. Results A total of 23 suitable applicants were shortlisted out of the 89 applications received. The South West, South East and North Central geopolitical zones of the country had the highest applications and the highest selected number of qualified applicants compared to the South South and North East geopolitical zones. The distribution with respect to gender indicated that males (72.7%) were more than females (27.3%). Mean score of participants’ knowledge of field techniques was 27.8 (± 10.8) before training and 67.7 (± 9.8) after the training. Similarly, participants’ knowledge on laboratory techniques also improved from 37.4 (± 5.6) to 77.2 (± 10.8). The difference in the mean scores at pre and post-test was statistically significant (p < 0.05). Access of participants to laboratory and field tools used in MVSC&R was generally low with insecticide susceptibility bioassays and pyrethrum spray collection methods being the most significant (p < 0.05). Conclusions The capacity available for vector control research and surveillance at institutional level in Nigeria is weak and require further strengthening. Increased training and access of personnel to relevant tools for MVSC&R is required in higher institutions in the six geopolitical zones of the country

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Additional file 1. Pre and Post Test (Field)