Breeding of Anopheles mosquitoes in irrigated areas of South Punjab, Pakistan

• DOI: 10.1046/j.0269-283x.2001.00312.x
• Publication Date: 2003-03-12T14:45:08Z
• Authors: N. Herrel; F. P. Amerasinghe; J. Ensink; M. Mukhtar; W. Van Der Hoek; F. Konradsen
• Keywords: Anopheles culicifacies; Anopheles stephensi

As part of investigations on potential linkages between irrigation and malaria transmission, all surface water bodies in around three villages along an distributary South Punjab, Pakistan, were surveyed for anopheline mosquito larvae (Diptera: Culicidae) from April 1999 to March 2000. Samples characterized according exposure sunlight, substratum, presence vegetation, fauna, inorganic matter physical condition (clear/turbid/foul). Also temperature, dissolved oxygen (DO), electroconductivity (EC) pH sites recorded. A total 37982 Anopheles six morphological types collected 2992 samples taken irrigation/agricultural village/domestic aquatic habitats. subpictus Grassi sensu lato was by far the most abundant (74.3%), followed An. culicifacies Giles s.l. (4.1%), stephensi Liston (2.6%), pulcherrimus Theobald (1.8%), peditaeniatus Leicester (0.3%) nigerrimus (0.1%). The four species significantly associated with waterlogged fields communal village drinking-water tanks. Habitat characteristics correlated occurrence anophelines absence/presence particularly predators. Occurrence abundance immatures not DO, EC or pH. Malaria vectors complex occurred at relatively low densities, mainly irrigated fields. In where rainfall is very low, it should be possible reduce breeding through management, as develop that are directly indirectly related extensive canal-irrigation system.