Distribution of the African Malaria Vectors (Anopheline Mosquitoes) in Kontagora, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Mosquitoes are responsible for the spread and transmission of several diseases including malaria, a dreaded disease that still affects nearly half of the world population.  This study was conducted in Kontagora, a metropolitan urban settlement in North-Central Nigeria to evaluate the spartial and temporal distribution of Anopheline mosquitoes.  Adult mosquitoes were collected from five (5) sampling sites widely located in Kwangwara, Tudun wada, Dadin kowa, Sabon gari and Usubu areas of Kontagora metropolis. The mosquitoes were morphologically identified to Anophelines using standard taxonomic keys with the aid of Trinocular Microscope.  Data generated revealed that spartial distribution of Anopheline mosquitoes Mean ±SE across the study areas occurred in the following order of decreasing abundance; Kwangwara (11.25±1.03) > Tudun wada (9.30 ±0.77) > Sabon gari (8.96±0.78), > Dadin kowa (8.92±0.88) > Usubu (8.59±0.82) with no significant variation (P>0.05) between sampling locations. However, the monthly distribution of Anopheline mosquitoes revealed high abundance of Anopheline vectors Mean ±SE   in August (14.00±2.91) and low abundance in March (3.80±1.57), with significant variation (p<0.05) between months.  The distribution of Anopheline mosquitoes observed in the study area was more or less directly related to the distribution of breeding sites. Studies on vector distribution on a local scale was recommended for effective control intervention.