Effects of Certain Natural Breeding Site Characteristics on the Distribution of Culicidae (Diptera) Mosquito Species in Southeast Algeria

Abstract

This study aimed to characterise mosquito species distribution based on the nature and type of breeding habitats and the influence of the vegetation that occupies these sites. Knowledge of variation in breeding site types can help in the design of optimal vector control strategies. In different areas of Biskra (southeast Algeria), mosquito immature stages were collected using standard dippers. Twenty-four breeding sites were found in four areas of Biskra (Chetma, Bbordj Ben Azouz, Sidi Okba and Biskra). With a total of 44 677 individuals, the inventory of Culicidae revealed 22 species distributed through six genera from 2009 to 2013. Three species — Aedes caspius, Culex pipiens and Culiseta longiareolata — were the most predominant, occupying several different types of permanent and temporary breeding sites. In addition, analysis of the distribution of species based on the flora occupying these sites revealed that Culex laticinctus, Aedes annulipes, Anopheles sergentii, Culiseta longiareolata, Culex pipiens and Aedes caspius were species that had a strong ability to cohabit.