Spatio-Temporal Assessment of Mosquito Dynamics in Relation to Meteorological Variables in Baramulla District of North Kashmir, India

Abstract

The present investigation was an attempt to find out the mosquito fauna diversity and distribution in relation with meteorological factors across three study localities/sites of Baramulla district (Kashmir division), India. The study period between May to October of 2019 and 2020, encountered a total of 701 mosquito specimens with maximum number of individuals recorded from Sopore (n=250) followed by Rafiabad (n=242) and Zaingeer (n=209). The mosquitoes seasonally reported were mostly found abundantly in summer (n=418). Monthly collections illustrated that number of mosquitoes were recorded maximum in August and September (n=381) and minimum in May and June (n=76). Culex quinquefaciatus was abundantly encountered and represent the highest percentage occurrence of 38.088% whereas Anopheles gigas contributed a minimum percentage occurrence of 5.563% among all species reported during the study period. In August 2019, maximum temperature and humidity recorded was 29.6 C/87% and minimum temperature and humidity was 17.5 C/66%. Precipitation observed was 155.5 mm. The maximum temperature and humidity observed during August, 2020 was 31.2 C/85% and minimum temperature and humidity was 18.6 C/69%. Overall study period suggested that maximum temperature and relative humidity supported the prevalence of mosquitoes. The precipitation recorded was 153.2 mm. In May 2019 and May, 2020, the rainfall observed was 150.9 mm and 138.0 mm, respectively, but the fluctuation in temperature and humidity does not favour the mosquito growth, thereby least density was observed. In other words, the requirement of an ideal temperature, rainfall and humidity is an essential variable for survival of mosquitoes in aquatic habitats.