Abstract
Culex pipiens (Diptera: Culicidae) is one of the most prevalent mosquitoes particularly in the Al-Madinah Al-Munawwarah region, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, transmitting numerous diseases such as arboviruses, avian malaria, elephantiasis, dirofilariasis, and encephalitis. Worldwide, Culex pipiens has developed resistance to numerous insecticides; therefore, considerable efforts have been done to introduce new mosquito control candidates. Due to their unique physical, biological, and eco-friendly properties, ionic liquids (ILs) have been recently considered as promising agents in controlling a variety of organisms. Six aminopyridinium-based ionic liquids (IL1-IL6) were assayed against eggs and pupae of C. pipiens. Percentages of non-hatched eggs, non-emerged pupae, the lethal concentrations (LC
50
and LC
90
) of both C. pipiens eggs and pupae were recorded. after exposure, to different ILs. The effects of ILs against eggs and pupae were concentration and IL-dependant. The percentages of egg unhatchability were much higher than those of pupal mortality, as the percentage of egg unhatchability reached 99% after treatment with IL6 at 0.5 g/L, while the percentage of pupal mortality reached 40.8% after treatment with IL4 at 0.5 g/L. The LC
50
and LC
90
of ILs against pupae were much higher than those of ILs against eggs. Effects of ILs on Staphylococcus aureus (Bacillales: Staphylococcaceae) and Escherichia coli (Entrobacterales: Entrobacteriaceae) were also studied; some ILs showed a considerable effect on both bacteria species. This is the first study to show the ovicidal, pupicidal, and bactericidal effects of aminopyridinium-based ILs in controlling C. pipiens, S. aureus, and E. coli.