ECOLOGY AND CONTROL OF MOSQUITO

BY

UWAMOSE,Martin Nelson Osaigbokan

DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY FACULTY OF SCIENCE,

DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY, ABRAKA

AUGUST , 2014

INTRODUCTION Mosquitoes are flies in the insect family Culicidae. Over 3,000 species

of mosquitoes are known to exist worldwide. Mosquitoes can be found in a wide variety of habitats/breeding sites

forming gutter, refuse dump, stagnant waters, e.tc. Because of their bloodsucking habits, mosquitoes are prone to vector

and transmit disease-causing organisms such as viruses (e.g. dengue, equine encephalitis), protozoans (e.g. malaria), and filarial nematodes (e.g. Brancrofti filarial) from their vertebrate hosts to humans and animals.

The importance of mosquito in human and animal diseases has made them an important target of medical, veterinary, and conservation research.

However, the knowledge of the ecology and breeding sites of mosquitoes will be indispensible before control can be effected.

This studies will therefore highlight the ecological features and control strategies of mosquitoes.

MAJOR TYPES OF MOSQUITOES

Fig. 1. Anopheline mosquitoSource: Google images

Fig. 2. Culicine mosquitoSource: Google images

MOSQUITO HABITATS (BREEDING SITES)

A Tree hole collecting rain water

A container collecting rain water

Stagnant water

Flower pots holding up water

Tire ruts holding water

FACTORS INFLUENCING MOSQUITO DISTRIBUTION

Change in environmental conditions Dry conditions or rainfall changes species

abundance Human habitations Agricultural changes

ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE Mosquitoes are typically good source of food for

organisms such as the larvae-eating fish (e.g. Gambusia “mosquito fish”), immature dragonflies and damselflies, aquatic beetles, and certain aquatic organisms such as planaria which feeds on the larvae of moquitoes

Adults are also source of food for terrestrial animals such as frogs, lizards, birds, e.t.c.

Mosquito larvae are filter feeders, but it is not clear exactly what type of microorganisms they prefer to feed on.

Mosquitoes are good vector of diseases and transmit many of the most significant infectious disease of humans.

Mosquito fish, Gambusia affinis

CONTROL The two major strategies for

vector control are insecticide-treated (bed) nets (ITNs) and indoor residual spraying (IRS).

Insecticide-treated (bed) Nets (ITNs) is a preventive control measure as it involves protecting individuals with bed nets as most mosquito bites occurs at night.

Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) involves the use of insecticides which results in the death of mosquitoes often as they rest up after feeding.

CONTROLOther control measures

include; The use of predators such as

mosquito fish to reduce the population of mosquitoes

The use of larvicides to kill larvae mosquitoes

The use of personal protective measures such as mosquito repellents e.g. DEET or permethrin, wearing long sleeves and trousers, and staying of mosquitoes breeding sites.

Reducing or eliminating the potential breeding sites around home.

CONCLUSIONThe identification of the mosquito breeding sites and the types of mosquito in any given area is useful in the planning of control strategies against mosquito-borne diseases. As there is a need to break the man-mosquito contact in order to reduce the transmission of mosquito related infections. The urban and rural dwellers should be enlightened on those environmental factors that contribute to mosquito breeding. Also, health education programs, which highlights the biology and ecology of mosquitoes should be encouraged so as to develop a comprehensive control programme, as our lack of knowledge of mosquito ecology will hamper our efforts to capitalize on molecular advances and hinder the control of mosquito-borne diseases.