Resting behaviors and seasonal variation of Anopheles arabiensis in River Nile State, Sudan

Abstract

Resting behavior and seasonal variation of mosquitoes are of a high degree of importance in the planning of vector control programs and should be well known. A study was carried out to determine the current resting behavior, and the seasonal variation of the malaria vector Anopheles arabiensis in selected sentinel sites in River Nile State, Sudan. Mosquitoes were collected in three different seasons; dry- cold, hot- dry, and wet-season. Mosquitoes were collected from the possible resting places at indoor and outdoor sites in four selected sentinel sites. Mosquitoes showed a preference for both indoor and outdoor resting. Anopheles arabiensis showed a marked seasonal fluctuation in the occurrence with its peaks of abundance in March, November, and January. The findings of the study might indicate a risk of indoor malaria transmission, therefore, control measures like indoor residual spray should be considered to suppress mosquito population and reduce the possibility of malaria and other vector-borne diseases transmission in the state.