Abdominal status and blood meal preference of <i>Anopheles gambiae</i> complexes in some communities of Dutse Local Government Area, Northwestern Nigeria.

Abstract

Mosquitoes are the greatest enemy of human beings as it transmits pathogen of medical and veterinary importance that results to morbidity and mortality globally. This study was aimed at identifying the most preferred host for malaria vector and classifying the female Anopheles based on their abdominal status. The study was conducted in three communities; Gurungu, Baranda and Warwade from April to October, 2022. Ten (10) houses were randomly selected in each of the three communities for the collection mosquitoes. Indoor resting adult mosquitoes were sampled using pyrethrum spray collection (PSC). Female Anopheles complexes blood meals were identified using polymerase chain reaction and abdominal status was classified using World Health Organization identification manual. Freshly fed female Anopheles were significantly highest (75.25%), followed by gravid (9.21%) and least were unfed (6.49%). Majority of female Anopheles tested fed on human blood (30%), followed by dog (10%) and those that were fed with both human and goat blood (10%) and from unknown source (50%). The Findings of this study revealed diversity feeding habit of female Anopheles. It is therefore recommended that further investigation on the surveillance of the diseases transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes be carried out.