Ecology and control of mosquito

Mosquitoes belong to the insect family Culicidae, with over 3,000 species known to exist throughout the world. They are blood-suckers and because of this habit, they may vector and transmit some of the most significant infectious disease of humans and animals alike including malaria, equine encephalitis, dog heartworm, filarial nematodes, e.t.c. mosquitoes can be found in a wide variety of habitats including stagnant water, swamps, weedy sides of streams, e.t.c. changes in the environment such as rainfall changes, agricultural changes, and human habitations can however afftect their distribution. The control of mosquitoes involves the use of Insecticides-treated (bed) nets (ITNs), predators such as mosquito fish, Gambusia, larvacides, Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS), use of mosquitos’ repellents, and the elimination of breeding sites. In order for the control strategies to be effective, studies on the biology and ecology of mosquitoes should be encouraged.

1. 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

2. 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.

3. MAJOR TYPES OF MOSQUITOES Fig. 1. Anopheline mosquito Source: Google images Fig. 2. Culicine mosquito Source: Google images

4. 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

5. FACTORS INFLUENCING MOSQUITO DISTRIBUTION Change in environmental conditions Dry conditions or rainfall changes species abundance Human habitations Agricultural changes

6. 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

7. 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.

8. CONTROL Other 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.

9. CONCLUSION The 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.