Involvement of two major vectors of malaria, Anopheles gambiae Giles and An nili Theobald (Diptera: Culicidae), in Plasmodium falciparum transmission of two coastal villages of Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

Malaria is caused by parasites transmitted to people through the infected bites of female Anopheles mosquitoes. On the Ivorian coast, very few studies have been carried out on these vectors. The current study aimed to assess the involvement of malaria vectors in the transmission of malaria in Koukourandoumi and Baba, two rural areas of the Ivorian coast. Mosquitoes were collected by Human Landing Catches and Pyrethrum Spray Catches. Plasmodium falciparum species in these mosquitoes was identified by the ELISA-CSP technique. Behavioural data was also collected. The present study revelated the three malaria vector species in Côte d’Ivoire (An. gambiae, An. nili and An. funestus). An. gambiae was the most common Anopheles species in Koukourandoumi, whereas An. nili was the most abundant in Baba. The An. gambiae females feed indoor while An. nili feeds outdoor. Malaria vectors showed a low aggressiveness (