Studies of the Biological and Physicochemical Contents of Rock Pool Breeding Habitats of Mosquitoes: A Case Study of the University of Abuja Main Campus

Abstract

Entomological surveys were conducted to determine the biological and physicochemical parameters influencing mosquito breeding in rock pools in University of Abuja Main Campus. A total of 4 study area were sampled for mosquito larvae using soup ladle dipper (0.105L). Three different species of mosquitoes where found during the survey which is Ae.aegypyi, Ae.vittatus, Cx. Ingrami. Ae.aegypti was found abundant in the four study sites. Biota and physicochemical (depth, temperature, pH, total dissolve solid, total suspended solid, turbidity, hardness, dissolve oxygen, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrate and alkalinity) parameters of the pools were determined. ANOVA showed that the abundance of mosquito larvae differed significantly with pH of each study area (p<0.05). The abundance of mosquito larvae did not differ significantly with depth, surface area, total suspended solid, hardness and turbidity of the rock pools (p>0.05). Epidemiologically, the mosquito species encountered are potential vectors of human and animal diseases, hence rock pools should be inspected to incriminate vectors and be incorporated in mosquito control strategies. Keywords: Mosquitoes: Rock Pool Habitat: Temperature: PH; Ae.aegypyi: Ae.vittatus: Cx Ingrami