Molecular Detection of natural bacterial flora within Culex pipiens pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) in Aleppo, Syria

Culex pipiens complex members have been known as important vectors of medical and veterinary arthropod-borne diseases for many pathogens (viral, bacterial, parasitic). Therefore, this study aimed to investigate natural bacterial flora within the Culex pipiens pipiens (Linnaeus,1758) collected from Aleppo City, Syria. Specimens of Cx. p. pipiens were identified based on a pictorial key. The presence of bacterial species was investigated using the PCR technique and special culture media. Results indicated the presence of mine bacterial species, including Wolbachia pipiens, Moraxella catarrhalis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli, Proteus mirabilis, Corynebacterium kutsceri, Clostridium tetani, and Acinetobacter baumannii. Wolbachia controls the sexual behavior of mosquitoes and therefore can be used in biocontrol.