Zoological and Entomological Letters
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P-ISSN: 2788-8428, E-ISSN: 2788-8436

2024, Vol. 4, Issue 2, Part A


Population dynamics of the major Anopheles vector in Nasarawa state, central Nigeria, using the novel prokopack aspirator and an existing protocol


Author(s): Akwashiki Ombugadu, Georgina S Mwansat and Nannim Nanvyat

Abstract: Malaria transmission can be prevented or effectively controlled through empirical understanding of Anopheles mosquitoes population fluctuations all year round. Thus, this study evaluated the population dynamics of the major Anopheles vector in a malaria endemic area in Nasarawa State, Central Nigeria, using the novel Prokopack Aspirator and an existing protocol. Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes were collected quarterly during the day from 0600 to 0900 hours for a two year longitudinal survey across sixty randomly selected houses, thirty houses for each sampling technique employed. The result obtained revealed that the population of An. gambiae sensu stricto was dominant during the early wet season 2166 (78.94%) compared to the other three seasons, and differences varied significantly (c2 = 155.89, df = 3, p< 0.001). Indoor resting density (IRD) of female An. gambiae s. s. in relation to the four seasons significantly differed (Kruskal-Wallis c2 = 206.64, df = 3, p< 0.0001) based on the order of dominance of 18.05 An. gambiae/house > 2.37 An. gambiae/house > 1.46 An. gambiae/house > 0.99 An. gambiae/house for early wet, late wet, early dry, and late dry, respectively. Also, the early wet season yielded a preponderant man biting rate of 4.51 bites per man per night of the freshly fed female An. gambiae s. s. caught followed by the late wet season at 0.66 bites/night, then the early dry season at 0.33 bites/night, whereas the late dry season had the least 0.27 bites/night, and differences significantly varied (F6 = 11.15, Adjusted R2 = 0.5917, P = 0.01564). The two entomological indices outcome in this study clearly reveals high likelihood of malaria transmission during the early wet season in Nassarawa Eggon LGA of Nasarawa State. It is therefore pertinent for the inhabitants of the area to be mindful of all temporary mosquitoes breeding grounds by actively clearing both naturally occurring and artificial habitats. Also, malaria vectors interventions by the government and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in the study area should come up on or before the onset of rainy season.

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Zoological and Entomological Letters
How to cite this article:
Akwashiki Ombugadu, Georgina S Mwansat, Nannim Nanvyat. Population dynamics of the major Anopheles vector in Nasarawa state, central Nigeria, using the novel prokopack aspirator and an existing protocol. Zool Entomol Lett 2024;4(2):28-33.

Zoological and Entomological Letters