Mosquito species (Diptera:Culicidae) detected in Manisa province and their significance as vectors

The aim of the present study is to identify the mosquito species and their bio-ecological properties in Manisa province and discuss the potential threat of the infectious diseases transmitted by mosquitos. The larvae were collected from an area of 13.810 km2 in Aegean Region - Manisa province between 20th March and 9th September 2009; species identification was done later in the laboratory. In the area three Culex species as Culex (Culex) pipiens (Linnaeus 1758), Culex (Neoculex) martini (Medschid 1930), Culex (Maillotia) deserticola (Kirkpatrick 1924), two Culiseta species as Culiseta (Culiseta) annulata (Schrank 1776) ve Culiseta (Allotheobaldia) longiareolata (Macquart 1838) and one Anopheles as Anopheles (Cellia) superpictus (Grassi 1899) were detected during the study.According to the results of the study, Culex (Culex) pipiens (Linnaeus 1758) and Culex (Neoculex) martini (Medschid 1930) were found to be predominant in Manisa. A total of 24.752 larvae of six different mosquito species were collected from permanent and temporary breeding areas in Manisa province during the study. Culex (Culex) pipiens (Linnaeus 1758), Culex (Neoculex) martini constituted almost half of the identified species ,followed by Culiseta annulata (15,25%), Culiseta longiareolata (13,99%), Culex deserticola (12,17%) and Anopheles superpictus (7,89%).Sixteen different habitats were visited during the study and among them Culex pipiens were found in all habitats, followed by Culex martini (in 12 habitats), Culiseta longiareolata (11), Culiseta annulata (9), Culex deserticola (9). Anopheles superpictus was found only in creeks and water found in dense wastes. When habitats were evaluated according to their contribution to the mosquito population, creeks were found to be leading (%14.08), followed by ponds by the roadside (%12,67), and fountain and animal ponds (%11,72).This is the first study that aims to reveal the mosquito population in Manisa province. Regarding the potential of present mosquito species as vectors of significant infectious diseases, the cruciality of the fight against mosquitos is once again proven.