A SURVEY OF OPEN LARVAL HABITATS OF MOSQUITOES

A SURVEY OF OPEN LARVAL HABITATS OF MOSQUITOES

CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION

Larval survey of open habitats of mosquitoes was carried out in Awka, Isiagu, Nibo and Umuawulu communities in Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra State. The study was carried out from May-July 2011 during the wet season and December 2011-February 2012 in the dry season. The collection of larvae of mosquitoes was done using dipper and pipette. Nike Flyknit Air Max Heren Five larval habitats of mosquitoes namely ground pools, drains/gutter, used tyres, discarded domestic containers and tree holes/leaf axils were identified in the wet season while only ground pool along river bank was identified in the dry season survey. A total of 343 larvae of mosquitoes belonging to three genera and five species were collected and identified. These were Aedes aegypti 43.4% (149/343), Culex quinquefasciatus 25.4% (87/343), Culex tigripes 15.5% (53/343), Anopheles gambiae 12.5% (43/343), and Anopheles funestus 3.2% (11/343). Culex quinquefasciatus had the highest distribution in ground pools (36.7%) followed by Anopheles gambiae (33.7%). In drains/gutters, Culex tigripes had the highest distribution of 37.9% followed by A. aegypti and other species. In used tyres, only larvae of A. aegypti and C. Nike Darwin Goedkoop quinquefasciatus were identified. Nike Air Max 95 Prem Tape Dame Similar result was obtained for domestic discarded containers where A. aegypti and C. quinquefasciatus were collected. The only larvae of mosquitoes found in tree holes/leaf axils were C. Nike Air Max 2016 Dame tigripes. Nike Air Max Dame The result also showed that Anopheles gambiae and A. funestus bred only in ground pools and drains/gutters. Only larvae of Anopheles gambiae and Culex quinquefasciatus were identified in the dry season survey near river bank in vegetable farms. Air Max 2015 Zwart Blauw Rood Goedkoop Statistical analysis revealed no significant difference (p>0.05) in identified larval habitats and among species of mosquitoes in various larval habitats in the wet season v There was however significant difference (p<0.05) in larval distribution in wet and dry seasons. Adequate knowledge of larval habitats of mosquitoes will help inform better environmental management in the control of mosquito-borne diseases.

Mosquitoes are widely distributed throughout the world and they utilize different water bodies for their breeding (WHO, 1982). Many species breed in both natural and artifi cial containers such as pools, gutters, coconut shells, tree holes, bamboo stumps, leaf axils, septic tank and so on (Mafi ana, 1989; Aigbodion & Anyiwe, 2005). The distribution of mosquitoes is infl uenced both directly and indirectly by climatic and environmental factors (Mafi ana et al., 1998). Mosquitoes prefer an environment with certain resources (food, shelter, breeding sites, favourable temperature and suitable humidity) in suffi cient amount and at appropriate time for survival and development (Romoser & Stoffolano, 1998). The recent increase in ecological and environmental modifi cation due to agricultural activities and urbanization has been observed to contribute to the breeding of various mosquito species (Amusan et al., 2005). Studies to identify local mosquito species have been carried out in several parts of Nigeria including Ibadan, Lagos, Zaria and Benin (Okorie, 1973; Mafi ana, 1989; Anyanwu et al., 1999; Aigbodion & Odiachi, 2003). Though, attempt was made thirteen years ago to determine the breeding sites of mosquitoes in Abeokuta (Mafi ana et al., 1998), the recent tremendous change in environmental conditions of the City as a result of urbanization underscores the need for current documentation of the mosquito fauna and their habitats. Constant studies on biology and larval ecology of mosquitoes have been observed as important tools in mosquito control. Such studies will help to determine the existing and disappearing mosquito species and the extent of their distribution (Mafi ana et al., 1998; Anyanwu et al., 1999). This study was therefore designed to investigate the larval habitats of existing mosquito fauna and its possible public health implications on the residents of Abeokuta City, southwest, Nigeria.

TOPIC: A SURVEY OF OPEN LARVAL HABITATS OF MOSQUITOES

Format: MS Word

Chapters: 1 - 5
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Number of Pages: 57

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