IMPACT OF PHYSICOCHEMICAL PARAMETERS IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF Culex quinquefasciatus Say LARVAE IN THEIR BREEDING SITES IN MONO AND COUFFO DEPARTMENTS IN SOUTH-WESTERN REPUBLIC OF BENIN, WEST AFRICA

Background and Aims: Lymphatic filariasis is a disease of great public health importance. The current study aims to establish the correlation between the presence of physicochemical parameters in breeding sites of Culex quinquefasciatus and the larval development. Methods: Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito larvae were collected from September to November 2024 during the small rainy season and from March to July 2025 during the great rainy season in two districts of Mono department which were Lokossa and Comè and in two districts of Couffo department which were Dogbo and Djakotomey. Then, the measurements of physicochemical parameters in breeding sites were done in laboratory using a spectrophotometer DR5000. The other methods employed were: Thermometric, Potentiometric, and Electrical conductometric. Results: The results showed that the breeding sites with higher physicochemical parameters such as: conductivity, total dissolve solids, total hardness, dissolved oxygen and alkalinity conferred the development to Culex quinquefasciatus larvae. However, there was a negative correlation between some parameters such as Turbidity and Salinity and Culex quinquefasciatus larval development. Different ions such as Ammonia, Calcium, Magnesium, Iron and Total Phosphate were present in Culex quinquefasciatus larval habitats and served as nutrient composition to the larvae. Conclusion: The breeding sites of Culex quinquefasciatus are influenced by many physicochemical parameters and there is a relationship between the presence of physicochemical parameters in Culex quinquefasciatus breeding sites and the development of these mosquito larvae. Peer Review History: Received 4 October 2025; Reviewed 12 November 2025; Accepted 19 December; Available online 15 January 2026 Academic Editor: Dr. A.A. Mgbahurike, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria, amaka_mgbahurike@yahoo.com Reviewers: Aya Mohammed Mohammed Essawy, MTI University- Mokattam, Egypt, aya.essawy@gmail.com Antonio José de Jesus Evangelista, Federal University of Ceará, UFC, Brazil, tony_biomed@hotmail.com