Spatial distribution of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) population in different larval habitats in urban environment in Makurdi, North-Central Nigeria

Abstract

Characteristics of mosquito larval habitats are vital in determining whether they can survive and successfully complete their developmental stages. Data on the ecological factors affecting mosquito density and abundance of their breeding sites can possibly be helpful in implementing larval management programs. Soup ladle dipper (0.105L capacity) and rope-fastened plastic jars were used to obtain larval mosquitoes from breeding receptacles. Fully developed larvae were preserved with 70% ethanol while lower instar larvae were nurtured on baker's yeast diet. Temperature, pH, EC and TDS were determined with HANNA HI 98129PH/EC/TS/Temp meter. Ethanol (70%) preserved larvae were identified with pictorial taxonomic keys. The relationship between larval abundance and physicochemical parameters was assessed using Pearson’s correlation. Differences in physicochemical properties among habitat types were determined using ANOVA. A total of 4641 mosquito larvae consisting of 22 species distributed in 3 genera were collected from 11 breeding habitats. They are, 165(3.6%) Ae. aegypti, 777(16.7%) Ae. africanus, 28(0.6%) Ae. domesticus, 47(1%) Ae. centrapunctatus, 104(2.2%) Ae. cumminsi, 35(0.8%) Ae. fraseri, 45(1%) Ae. keniensis, 27(0.6%) Ae. pulchrithorax, 108(2.3%) Ae. simpsoni, 2129(45.9%) Ae. vittatus, 67(1.4%) An. gambiae s.l., 24(0.5%) Cx. arbieeni, 2(0.04%) Cx. decens, 212(4.6%) Cx. duttoni, 74(1.6%) Cx. horridus, 210(4.5%) Cx. quinquefasciatus, 73(1.6%) Cx. macfiei, 134(2.9%) Cx. nebulosus, 73(1.6%) Cx. pipiens molestus, 229(4.9%) Cx. rubinotus, 23(0.5%) Cx. striatipes and 57(1.2%) Cx. tigripes. Aedes vittatus, Ae. africanus and Cx. rubinotus had dominant densities. Mosquito larval occurrence was highest in discarded tyres followed by rock pools and electric poles. Highest larval density due to impact of human activities was recorded in concrete electric poles. Rock pools, discarded tyres, domesticated containers and electric poles differed significantly (p