Population Dynamics of Mosquitoes in Various Breeding Habitats at University of Peshawar Campus, Khyber Pukhtunkhwa Pakistan

Abstract

A study of mosquitoes was conducted to identify the population dynamics, relative abundance, distribution and habitat preferences of mosquitos of University of Peshawar Campus. Six habitats including discarded containers, waste water open drains, bamboo glasses, rain water pools, flower vases and tyres were used for the collection of immature stages of mosquitoes. A total of 2419 adult mosquitoes (1433 females and 985 males) comprising six species viz. Aedes albopictus (57.1%), Aedes unilineatus (2.52%), Aedes walbus (2.8%), Armigeres subalbatus (3.84%), Culex quinquefasciatus (33.7%) and Anopheles stephensi (0.04%) were recovered from all studied habitats. Ae. Albopictus was found to be the dominant and frequently distributed specie. Cx. Quinquefasciatus was the second dominant specie with moderate distribution. Ar. Subalbatus, Ae. unilineatus and Ae. W-albus were all identified as sub-dominant species with the former two as infrequent and the later one as sporadic species. An. stephensi was identified as satellite cum sporadic species during the study. Bamboo glasses were the richest habitat from where 4 species were recovered while no larvae were found in the tyres. The highest number of mosquitoes were detected during October (481) while the lowest in December (224).