Sunlight exposure enhances larval mortality rate in Culex quinquefasciatus Say.

The sunlight is responsible for the development and continued existence of life on earth. The deleterious effects of sunlight on biological systems are entirely due to radiation. It is widely believed that light has the greatest effect of all the environmental factors. While light does play an important role, very few studies have been conducted to evaluate the interaction of light with other factors. Natural sunlight includes wavelengths as low as 300 nm, but does not include wavelengths of 250 to 260 nm (as ozone layer blocks these wavelengths from reaching the atmosphere). Radiation in incident sunlight has shown effect on the bacterial spores and crystals. The effect of sunlight has been well reviewed in case of insecticide degradation or photo degradation of Bacillus species with reference to control of aquatic mosquito larvae. Effect of varying temperature during the daytime due to incident sunlight was assessed for survival in malathion resistant and susceptible larvae of Culex quinquefasciatus Say (Diptera: Culicidae).