22 Ara 2024 Pazar
Dry season larval habitats of mosquito vectors (Culicidae) in Ajeromi-Ifelodun Area of Lagos, Nigeria
Abstract :The larval habitat types, species composition, and larval densities of mosquitoes were investigated in Ajeromi-Ifelodun, a malaria-endemic area in Lagos, Nigeria, which had no prior entomological data. Larval prospection was conducted between November 2020 and January 2021 during the dry season in accessible potential breeding habitats, including discarded containers, and gutters with stagnant water. Data on habitat occupancy, larval density, and GPS coordinates of habitats were collected. Standard morphological keys were used to identify mosquitoes to species. Of the 11 potential breeding sites sampled, seven were positive for immature mosquitoes. Discarded tyres were the most frequently encountered habitat but had the lowest density of mosquitoes which were all identified as Aedes aegypti (3.6 larvae per dip). This was followed by gutters which harboured Culex pipiens complex (77.6 larvae per dip). Anopheles gambiae complex was found breeding in a discarded boat at a density of 23 larvae per dip. However, larval densities of the three mosquito species were not statistically significantly different (P>0.05). The presence of the three species which have been implicated as major vectors of different deadly diseases in Africa indicates that Ajeromi-Ifelodun area is at risk of several mosquito-borne diseases. Institution of vector control measures is recommended.
Anopheles gambiae complex, Aedes aegypti, Culex pipiens complex, larval habitats, mosquito-borne diseases, Nigeria