ABSTRACT
A survey of the mosquito fauna of Asaba, the Delta State
capital of Southwestern Nigeria was undertaken between January and March 2009.
The mosquito breeding sites, distribution, abundance and the influence of
ecological factors on the mosquito population were determined. Asaba metropolis
was subdivided into five zones based on population and human activities.
Ovitraps were used to sample the Aedes mosquito populations. Larvae were
collected once weekly using ladles, bowls, sieves and specimen bottles. Ecological
sites studied were drains ground pools, discard vehicle tyres, domestic
containers, tree holes and leaf axils. A total of 7,337 mosquitoes comprised of
two mosquito genera (Aedes and culex) and three mosquito species, Aedes
aegypti, Aedes albopictus and culex quinquetasciatus were
collected, C. quinquefasciatus 6,431(87.7%) formed the bulk of
the collection of the 7,337 larvae, drains yielded 6,202 (84.53%) of the
collection. out of 960 ovitraps set, 291 (31.1%) were positive with aedes eggs
that yielded 1,553 larvae from which 780 (72.4%) emerged as adults. Two aedes
species A. aegypti 450 (57.7%) and A. albopictus 330 (42.3%) were
collected from the ovitraps. Both larvae and eggs collected increased or
decreased with increase in rainfall. The health implications of high breeding
rates of mosquitoes in the drains and domestic water containers were discussed
and recommendation for mosquito control, health education and maintenance of
clean drains were made.
CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
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 arti cial containers, such as pools, gutters,
coconut shells, tree holes, bamboo stumps, leaf axils, septic tanks and other
similar water bodies (Ma ana, 1989; Aigbodion and Anyiwe, 2005). The
distribution of mosquitoes is in uenced both directly and indirectly by
climatic and environmental factors (Ma ana et al., 1998). Mosquitoes
prefer an environment with certain resources such as food, shelter, breeding
sites, favourable temperature and suitable humidity, in sufficient amount and
at an appropriate time for development and survival (Romoser & Stoffolano,
1998). The recent increase in ecological and environmental modi cation due to
agricultural activities and urbanization, has been observed to contribute to
the breeding of various mosquito species in a rice and plaintation communities
in Ogun State (Amusan et al., 2005).
Mosquitoes are unquestionably the most medically important
arthropod vectors of disease. The maintenance and transmission of the pathogens
that cause malaria, lymphatic filariasis, and numerous viral infections are
mainly dependent on the availability of competent mosquito vectors (Monath
1985). Human malaria, caused primarily by the protozoan
species, Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax,
causes high mortality and morbidity in human and animal population across the
world, leading to enormous economic loss (Soulsby 1982, Service 1980). The
nematodes Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi are the
principal etiologic agents of lymphatic filariasis, causing morbidity in over
100 million individuals ( Bockarie et al 1998). Hundreds of thousands of
humans also are infected with mosquito-borne viruses, with yellow fever and
dengue fever being two of the most important mosquito-transmitted viral
diseases. Although the medical community has known for over a century the role
mosquitoes play in the transmission of malaria and lymphatic filariasis, these
diseases continue to have a devastating influence on the less privileged
populations throughout the tropical and subtropical regions of the world
(Service 1980). The current problems in controlling malaria are much more
severe than those facing public health officials 30 years ago (Krogstad,
1996).The problems include resistance of vectors to insecticides and the Plasmodium
parasites to drugs.
Studies to identify local mosquito species have been carried
out in several parts of Nigeria including Ibadan, Lagos, Zaria, Benin, Enugu
and Awka (Okorie, 1973; Ma ana, 1989; Anyanwu et al., 1999; Aigbodion
& Odiachi, 2003; Onyido, et al 2002; Mbanugo, and Okpalononuju, 2003
(respectively). Constant studies on biology and larval ecology of mosquitoes
have been observed as important tools in mosquito control (WHO 1975).
Such studies will help to determine the existing and disappearing mosquito
species and their distribution (Ma ana et al., 1998; Anyanwu et al.,
1999). The present study was designed to investigate the ovi-position and
larval habitats of existing mosquito fauna in Asaba, Delta state capital of
southwestern Nigeria and its possible public health implications. (on the
residents). Specifically, it will Sample the mosquitoes using ovitrap and
larval collection methods in part of Asaba metropolis in Delta State, so as to
determine the Mosquito species composition, as well as distribution and
relative abundance. ( of various Mosquito species in the area.)
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