Study on mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) diversity in Ernakulam district of the Kerala state, South India.

Abstract

The present study was conducted to know the diversity of mosquito species in Ernakulam district of Kerala state. The study was undertaken for a period of 11 months (October 2017 to August 2018). Larvae and adults mosquito survey were carried out to generate information on the current mosquito species diversity in the district. 26 species of mosquitoes belonging to 6 genera was recorded in the study namely, Anopheles, Culex, Aedes, Mansonia, Armigeres and Toxorhynchites. Anopheles (11) was the dominant genus followed by Culex (6), Aedes (5), Mansonia (2), Armigeres (1), and Toxorhynchites (1) respectively. Ae. albopictus, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus, Cx. gelidus, Cx. quinquefasciatus and Mn. uniformis were found throughout the study period. Vectors of malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Japanese encephalitis and filariasis were recorded in the present study.