Susceptibility status of Anopheles dthali Patton (Diptera: Culicidae) to insecticides in Qale Ganj County, Southeastern Iran

Background: Malaria in endemic in some areas of southeastern Iran. Vector control is a main measure to prevent the diseases.Objective: This study was aimed to determine the susceptibility status of Anopheles dthali, the malaria vector in mountainous areas of southern Iran.Material and method: This study was conducted from April to August 2019 in Qale Ganj County, South of Kerman Province of Iran. Mosquito larvae were collected by dipping method natural habitats of three villages (Rameshk, Shahkahan, Galo) where malaria cases were reported in the past years. Larvae were divided into two groups; first part was used for larviciding and the second part was reared to adult under the insectary condition. World health organization (WHO) procedure was followed for susceptibility test of larvae to Temephos 0.25 mg/L and adults to Bendiocarb 1%.Result: A total of 652 larvae were collected identified. Species composition was An. dthali (77.14%), An. moghulensis (13.50%), An. culicifacies s.l. (1.54%), An. superpictus s.l. (0.46%), An. stephensi (0.15%), An. apoci (6.90%) and An. fluviatilis s.l. (0.31%). Results of tests of An. dthali against pesticides showed 97.03±1.21% and 100% mortality to Bendiocarb 1% and Temephos 0.25 mg/L, respectively.Conclusion: Our findings showed An. dthali is susceptible both insecticides. Although this mosquito is not an endophilic species, the results of this study can be used for larviciding activities in malaria control program.

Keywords:

Anopheles dthali , Insecticide resistance , Kerman Province , Southeastern Iran