1Department
of Statistics; 2Department of Zoology, Government College
University, Allama Iqbal Road, Faisalabad *Corresponding author:
flourenceshabab@yahoo.com
Abstract
Mosquitoes not only carry diseases to human
beings but also affect animals especially cats, dogs and horses by spreading dog
heartworm, West Nile virus, Eastern equine encephalitis etc. As mosquitoes at
immature stages are aquatic in nature and due to pollution, different water
grades are present in the environment. This alarming situation has been
recognized and statistically investigated in this study. So, this study was
designed to investigate the optimal combination of significant factors
contributing for the control of immature stages of mosquito by using a
statistical tool; response surface methodology. Ten factors; pH, dissolved
oxygen, time interval, electrical conductivity, total dissolved solids, life
stages of mosquitoes, water grades, temperature, oils and oil concentration were
initially considered important for mosquito control. The treatments were
replicated under laboratory conditions and percentage mortality was counted.
These factors were initially screened out by using different screening designs,
then significant factors were redesigned at five levels and again mortality was
noted. Finally, the significant factors were studied with more efficient
response surface design, a modified CCD (central composite design). After
screening, pH, Time, Life stages and water grades were found statistically
significant. Modified central composite design showed that not only the
significant factors but their interactions were also very important for mosquito
control. Mortality was low at different combinations of middle levels of pH and
time as compared to the extreme levels. The current experiment is of great
importance as it guides us how we can save our environment and lives from the
dengue mosquito.
Key words:
Central composite design, Culex mosquito control, Environment friendly strategy, Mortality