The distribution pattern and feeding behaviour of malaria vectors in two selected communities of Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State

Abstract

: An entomological survey was conducted to determine the malaria vectors density and their distribution. The study was aimed at identifying the distribution and feeding behaviour of major malaria vectors. Mosquitoes were sampled using Pyrethroid Spray Collection (PSC) and CDC light trap methods to collect indoors and outdoors resting mosquitoes for a period of three months (April, May and June) and were identified morphologically. A total of 462(100%) mosquitoes were collected in the study areas, 238(51.5%) were collected in Gitata and 224(48.5%) were collected in Panda. Of the 462 (100%) mosquitoes collected, 433(93.7%) were Anopheline while 29(6.3%) were Culicine. Statistically, there was a statistical difference (p<0.05) in the distribution of malaria vectors encountered in the study areas. Out of the 433(100%) Anopheles mosquitoes collected, 279(64.4%) feed indoor while 154(35.6%) feed outdoor. The indoor resting density of the mosquitoes were also calculated, the result showed that Panda had the highest indoor resting density of 7.5 than Gitata 7.0. The human biting rate (HBR) of mosquitoes collected in each month at the study areas were also determine and the result showed a high biting rate of 2.515 in Panda compared to 2.321 in Gitata. The parity rate (PR) of the mosquitoes collected in Gitata and Panda for the three months were also analyzed, and the result showed that, out of the 433 Anopheles mosquitoes collected, 146(100%) were dissected, 85(58.2%) were parous and 61(41.8%) were nulliparous. This study therefore, will be used as a baseline data to help in designing strategies for the control of malaria vector diseases in Karu Local Government of Nasarawa State and its environs.