The present study was designed to quantify the contributions of water pH and hardness required for development and adult fitness indices of Culex quinquefasciatus (Cx. quinquefasciatus) mosquitoes. To this end, seven water pH conditions (pH 4.0–10.0) and five hardness levels (0, 30, 90, 150 and 210 mg/L CaCO3) were simulated following standard protocols. Day-old larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus were reared in these simulated water-media conditions till emergence. Entomological indices for immature developmental success and adult biological fitness parameters were measured. The results revealed significant effects of pH and water levels on the entomological parameters measured for the species. pH values of 4 and 10 and high hardness values ≥ 150 mg/L CaCO3 reduced immature developmental successes and adult biological fitness indices. The optimum range of values for the development of the species is respectively pH 5–8 and 0–90 mg/L CaCO3. The present study reveals the significant negative influence of extreme pH and hardness levels on mosquito development and fitness indices; thus, it may be providing baseline information for developing sustainable robust vector control strategies for disease reduction through habitat manipulation.

中文翻译：

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量化水 pH 值和硬度水平在 Culex quinquefasciatus Say（双翅目：Culicidae）发育和生物健康指数中的作用

本研究旨在量化库蚊 (Cx. quinquefasciatus) 蚊子发育和成年健康指数所需的水 pH 值和硬度的贡献。为此，按照标准协议模拟了七种水的 pH 值条件（pH 值 4.0-10.0）和五种硬度水平（0、30、90、150 和 210 mg/L CaCO3）。在这些模拟的水介质条件下饲养日龄的库蚊幼虫直至出苗。测量未成熟发育成功的昆虫学指标和成虫生物健康参数。结果揭示了 pH 值和水含量对物种测量的昆虫学参数的显着影响。4 和 10 的 pH 值和 ≥ 150 mg/L CaCO3 的高硬度值降低了未成熟发育成功率和成人生物健康指数。该物种发育的最佳值范围分别为 pH 5-8 和 0-90 mg/L CaCO3。本研究揭示了极端 pH 值和硬度水平对蚊子发育和健康指数的显着负面影响；因此，它可能为制定可持续的强有力的病媒控制战略提供基线信息，以通过栖息地操纵减少疾病。