Identification and seasonal distribution of mosquito species in Telangana state, India

Abstract

An entomological study was conducted to determine species composition, relative abundance, and seasonal population fluctuation of mosquitoes. Thirty localities were randomly selected and sampled once in summer, monsoon and winter seasons for a period of three years. Adult mosquitoes were collected from in and around human dwellings and animal sheds using aspirator and flash light between 6 PM and 7:30 PM hrs and 06:00 AM and 7:00 AM hrs. Larvae were collected from ditches, rock pool and other domestic habitats, reared to formation of adults in the lab. A total of 18425 mosquitoes were collected. Five genera (Culex, Anopheles, Aedes, Mansonia and Armigeres) were found to be circulating. Further, with respect to habitat, more number of mosquitoes were observed around cattle sheds and houses. Culex quinquefasciatus occupies top place, followed by Aedes albopictus and Culex gelidus, Culex tritaeniorhynchus with respect to density, whereas Mansonia uniformis occupies last place. Culex quinquifasciatus is top again followed by Culex gelidus and Aedes albopictus, Mansonia uniformis is last again with respect to distribution. The vector species studied were Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus for chikungunya and dengue, Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles culicifacies for malaria, Culex tritaeniorhynchus for Japanese encephalitis and Culex quiquefasciatus for lymphatic filaria.