Mosquito Larval Composition, Abundance, Temperature and Physicochemical Properties of Larval Container Habitats in Ekosodin Community, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria

Abstract

Conventionally, Aedes and Culex mosquito vectors of yellow fever and filariasis, respectively, are known to utilize containers as preferred breeding sites. There are exceptions of Anopheles breeding in such habitats in some regions. Effective mosquito vector control measures require precise information, such as mosquito identity and habitat features, to control or eliminate mosquito-borne diseases from a region. Hence, the objective of this paper was to evaluate the mosquito larval composition, abundance, temperature and physicochemical properties of larval container habitats in Ekosodin Community, Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria using appropriate standard procedures. Data obtained reveals that mosquitoes collected differed significantly (p < 0.05) and comprised Aedes (63.6 %), Culex (34.1 %), and Anopheles (2.3 %). Containers sized between 20.1 cm and 30.0 cm accommodated representatives of all three mosquito genera. There was no significant difference (p > 0.05) in pH, electrical conductivity, salinity, total dissolved solids, and temperature across different container size ranges. Significant positive correlations (p < 0.05) were observed between Aedes species and salinity (0.69), Aedes species and diameter (0.84), Anopheles species and pH (0.83), and Anopheles species and Culex species (0.80). This study demonstrates that containers can serve as significant habitats for crucial mosquito vectors in the Ekosodin Community and need proper consideration for control measures.