Abstract
Due to conservation and rehabilitation efforts, mangrove forests represent some of the largest environmental niches in Malaysia. However, there is little information on the potential risks posed by mosquitoes that are directly and indirectly associated with mangrove forests. To study the potential health risk to humans active within and in close vicinity of mangrove forests, this research focused on the day biting habits of mosquitoes in mangrove forests of Kedah, Malaysia. The bare leg catch (BLC) method was used to collect adult mosquitoes during a 12-h period from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in both disturbed and less disturbed areas of mangroves. In total, 795 adult mosquitoes from 5 genera and 8 species were collected, and over 65% of the total mosquitoes were collected from the less disturbed area. The predominant species from the less disturbed area was Verrallina butleri; in the disturbed area the dominant species was Culex sitiens. The peak biting hour differed for each species, with Aedes albopictus and Cx. sitiens recorded as having a bimodal biting activity peak during dawn and dusk. For Ve. butleri an erratic pattern of biting activity was recorded in the less disturbed area but it peaked during the early daytime for both collection points. Overall, the distinct pattern of day biting habits of mosquitoes within mangroves peaked during dawn and dusk for the less disturbed area but was irregular for the disturbed area throughout the day. The presence of vectors of pathogens such as Ae. albopictus for both areas raises the need for authorities to consider management of mosquitoes in mangrove forests.
Highlights
Mosquito-borne disease is a major concern in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia where outbreaks of dengue have a significant impact on human health
This study is one of the first to document day biting mosquito activity within the Merbok mangrove forests. This information on biting habits of mosquitoes active during the day in the mangrove forests, especially vector species, is another step forward in assessing the local risks of mosquito-borne disease and, given that this study demonstrates that biting mosquitoes are active during the day in mangrove forests, efforts must be made to minimize the interactions of the potential vectors with humans
Our results showed a relatively high number of mosquitoes collected in mangrove forests, providing strong evidence that Ae. albopictus is a potential public health problem in both suburban and adjacent non-urban environments [23]
Summary
Mosquito-borne disease is a major concern in Southeast Asia, especially in Malaysia where outbreaks of dengue have a significant impact on human health. Greater interest must to paid to other environments and the mosquitoes associated with them to better understand and manage mosquito-borne disease outbreak risk. The biological and ecological importance of these habitats has not generally been appreciated and human activity has caused substantial damage and disruption, with losses of one quarter of total mangrove areas in the last 20 years [2]. Mosquitoes are a diverse group of insects that are present across a wide range of environmental niches in both tropical and temperate regions, and while they may play important ecological roles, they represent potentially significant pest and public health risks [3]
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