Population dynamics of six species of Culex pipiens L. group (Diptera: Culicidae) from Chandigarh^#

During the present study, detailed mosquito surveys were carried out from various habitats of developed areas, gardens, slums and surrounding villages of Chandigarh from June 2017 to November 2019 to explore the mosquito fauna. Six species of Culex pipiens L group were recorded with maximum distribution of Culex quinquefasciatus Say (89.61%) followed by Culex univittatus Theobald (6.39%) while, rest of the species viz; Culex vagans Wiedemann, Cx. hutchinsoni Barraud, Cx. theileri Theobald and Cx. fuscocephala Theobald collectively formed only 3.99% in almost in all habitats. The population dynamics was analyzed from regular surveys to assess the relationship between abundance of six vector species of Cx. pipiens group with meteorological variables. The data revealed varied abundance of species of Cx. pipiens group in different seasons. Survey of literature revealed that no data is available on the species of Cx. pipiens group in the region with particular reference to weather parameters. Hence, the present study on the seasonal abundance and population dynamics of Culex pipiens group in Chandigarh and its surroundings has been carried out.