A Survey of Container Breeding Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) at Residential Areas in Kuching and Samarahan Divisions, Sarawak.

Abstract

An investigation of mosquito larvae breeding in containers was conducted at residential areas in Kuching and Samarahan Divisions in Sarawak during the dry season from June to August 2018. Sampling was carried out by dipping with a pipette and dipper depending on the container types. Seven breeding containers, namely plastic container, plastic pail, bottle, coconut shell, tin can, aluminium bowl and plastic bowl were sampled within the residential areas. Ambient temperature and relative humidity of the breeding sites were recorded during each visit. A total of ten species comprising 7,356 mosquito larvae were collected. Aedes albopictus was the most common with 2,712 individuals collected in the Kuching Division. In Samarahan Division, a total of seven species comprising of 5,801 mosquito larvae were collected and Culex quinquefasciatus had the highest number with 2,689 individuals. Among all the containers, coconut shells were the preferred container for breeding and most commonly use by the mosquitoes. To control the number of mosquitoes, it is necessary to eliminate artificial and natural containers or breeding habitats in and around residential areas. Aedes aegypti larvae were not found in the present survey.