Behavioral resting preference of Culex mosquitoes in indoor and outdoor sites in Udaipur district of southern Rajasthan

Abstract

An investigation was conducted to find out the relative season wise abundance of Culex mosquitoes in indoor and outdoor sites using aspirator (hand catch method) in urban and rural areas of Udaipur district of Rajasthan. A total of 1115 mosquitoes were collected, out of which 1021 mosquitoes were found in indoor sites and 94 in outdoor sites. In Indoor site, 59.84% Culex mosquitoes were found in human dwellings and 40.15% in cattle sheds. While outdoor resting sites included puddle and river bed which had the highest number of mosquitoes. Comparing the three seasons in the resting study, it was found that mosquito preference was highest in the rainy season, followed by summer season and lowest in the winter season.