The biting patterns of culex mosquitoes in the Udaipur district of southern Rajasthan

Abstract

The objective of this study was to determine the abundance and biting patterns of Culex mosquitoes in the Udaipur region of Rajasthan. Collection was carried out by light torch and oral aspirator (suction tube) from April, 2021 to March, 2022). A total of 227 Culex female mosquitoes were collected. Out of total collection, 109 mosquitoes were collected from cattle sheds (51 mosquitoes from indoor and 50 mosquitoes from outdoor) and 118 mosquitoes were collected from human dwellings (63 mosquitoes from indoor and 55 mosquitoes from outdoor). The highest numbers of females was caught between 0300 to 0400 hours and 2000 to 2200 hours. The density of biting populations in human dwellings was higher than in cattle sheds, indicating the available of blood meals in the biting behaviour of Culex mosquitoes.