MOSQUITO SPECIES ABUNDANCE, COMPOSITION AND DIVERSITY IN MANA BABBA AREA SOKOTO

Abstract

A study on mosquito species abundance, composition, and distribution was conducted in Mana Babba area of Sokoto State, Nigeria. Mosquito larvae were collected using a standard dipping method from three locations: Dan Hako, Runji, and Gidan Kwano. The larvae were reared to adult stage under laboratory conditions and identified based on their morphological characteristics, including palpi length, wing patterns, and abdominal tip shape. A total of 720 mosquitoes belonging to three genera (Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex) were collected. Anopheles was the most abundant genus, accounting for 63.9% of the total mosquito population, followed by Aedes (27.8%) and Culex (8.3%). The distribution of mosquito genera varied across the three locations, with Anopheles being dominant in Dan Hako (84.2%) and Aedes being dominant in Gidan Kwano (66.7%). The findings of this study have significant implications for disease transmission and control, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions to manage mosquito populations. The high abundance of Anopheles, a primary vector of malaria, underscores the importance of prioritizing malaria control measures in the study area. The results of this study provide valuable insights into the mosquito fauna of the study area and highlight the need for continued surveillance and monitoring of mosquito populations to inform effective control strategies."