The Habitats of Preadult Stages of Culicidae (Diptera) Species Commonly Found in Çukurova and Important Physical and Chemical Characteristics of these Habitats

Authors: Davut ALPTEKİN, Halil KASAP

Abstract: In the vicinity of the villages Mantas, Yeniçay, Aliaga, Hasanaga and Asagikulak (Tarsus, Içel) the larval habitats of mosquitos commonly found in Çukurova were investigated during breeding period from April to November in order to determine the types and physical-chemical characteristics of breeding water e.i. temperature, color, conductivity and oxygen, phosphate, nitrite, chlorine and ammonia. Of 5 species commonly found in the area, Anopheles sacharovi and A. hyrcanus were found to occur in the natural or artifical clean and permanent water bodies, ponds and streams, preferably in waters richly oxygenous and slightly salty. The larvae of Culex tritaeniorhynchus and C. pipiens pipiens were able to survive in types of habitat observed in the area. The larvae of C. tritaeniorhynchus were found to be tolerant to greater temperature changes where as the larvae of Aedes caspius caspius were found to be tolerant to the high temperatures as well as to nitrite and phosphate.

Keywords: Çukurova, mosquito, habitat types