Relative Abundance and Breeding Site Preferences of Mosquito Species found in Owerri West Local Government Area, Imo State Nigeria

Abstract

In order to determine the relative abundance of mosquitoes found in Owerri West Local Government Area Imo State Nigeria as well as their breeding sites, research work was conducted to assess the relative abundance of mosquitoes found in different parts. The study was carried out in two locations; Umuguma and World Bank areas. Mosquito larvae were collected from both areas twice a week using the standard dipping technique. These larvae were raised to adulthood in laboratory conditions. A total of two thousand four hundred and sixteen (2,416) adult mosquitoes were obtained. These mosquitoes were identified into various types morpho-metrically using binocular stereomicroscopes and taxonomic identification keys. Eight species of mosquitoes were identified in this study and these include the following; Culex quinquefasciatus (23.96), Aedes aegypti (23.88), Culex trigripes (17.79), Aedes albopictus (13.99), Culex vittatus (6.49), Eretmapodites Species (5.87), Anopheles species (4.88) and Toxorhynchites species (3.10). It was observed that blocked gutters, empty cans and ground pools favor mosquito breeding. Higher number of mosquitoes was noted in world bank market and Umuguma market refuse dumps. The study recommends that government should improve the standard of environmental sanitation on the proper disposal of refuse and construction of good drainage which facilitates system. This will help to minimize the blockage of gutters and stagnant water (pools) that encourage the blockage of water.

Keywords: Mosquito abundance, Breeding habitats, Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefasciatus, Refuse dumps, Nigeria, Vector ecology