[Culicidae Larvae and Their Seasonal Dynamics in the Region of Fez-Meknes, Morocco]

As part of the prevention of vector-borne diseases in central Morocco, a study of the seasonal fluctuation of Culicidian biodiversity was conducted from November 2015 to November 2016 on four breeding sites located in the city of Fez in central Morocco (Jnan El Alami, Lgaâda dam, Awinat Elhajaj, Douwar Lhandiya Source). The study aimed to improve the knowledge of seasonal dynamics and activity period of Culicidian mosquitoes, in order to target the period of control.

Larvae were collected by dipping method at a 15-day interval at least once a month. Statistical analyses were performed using version 3.6.1 of the statistical processing software.

During this study, nine species were found with high monthly and seasonal variations in numbers of each species and from site to site. Predominant species are vectors of disease: Culex pipiens, Cx. perexiguus, Cx. theileri, known vectors of West Nile virus, followed by Anopheles maculipennis s. l. and An. sergentii that are the main vectors of malaria in Morocco. Cx. pipiens and Cx. perexiguus reached the highest density in September, while Cx. theileri was found in large numbers in February and can therefore emerge in late winter and mid-spring. The lowest number of An. sergentii was collected in November, but increased in September, October and December. An. maculipennis s. l. occurred in June, with recurrences in March and July. Culiseta longiareolata was found in spring and summer and in abundance in June. However, Uranotaenia unguiculata was only present in September and October. Both An. cinereus and Cx. hortensis were present in November and February.

The results obtained will be an important tool for management and monitoring Culicidae proliferation and can be used to improve the efficiency of control management.