Abstract
BACKGROUND: Mosquitoes are the insect vectors causing millions of deaths every year worldwide. They are directly and indirectly exposed to different insecticides to check the spread of diseases caused by them. Sublethal exposure to insecticides has resulted in the development of insecticide resistance. METHODS: In this study, Culex quinquefasciatus (Order: Diptera) was exposed to three sublethal concentrations of permethrin (LC(10), LC(20), and LC(50)) for five generations and its effect on the life history traits were explored. RESULTS: Subsequent decreases in fecundity, fertility, pupation rate, adult emergence rate, and adult longevity were observed in the exposed groups than that in the control group across the generations. Moreover, there were significant differences between LC(20) and LC(50) groups. CONCLUSION: This study investigated the prolonged sublethal exposure of permethrin, which altered the life history traits incurring fitness costs in the vector. The sublethal effect was explored to convey the message that relying on chemical control should be reserved for epidemic conditions, strongly advocating for a shift in integrated vector control strategies for reducing the burden of mosquito-borne diseases.