Publication Type

Journal Article

Journal Name

BMC Ecology

Publication Date

3-8-2015

Abstract

Background: An in depth understanding of mosquito breeding biology and factors regulating population sizes is fundamental for vector population control. This paper presents results from a survey of mosquito breeding habitats and the efficacy of neem chippings as a potential larvicide that can be integrated in mosquito control on Nyabondo Plateau in western Kenya.Results: Six main mosquito habitat types namely artificial ponds, abandoned fish ponds, active fish ponds, open drains, temporary pools and swamps were found in Nyabondo. Early anopheline instars were mainly recovered from temporary pools, artificial ponds and abandoned fish ponds. The mosquitoes collected wereAnopheles gambiaesensu lato (35%), An. coustani(46%) andCulex spp(19%). Both early and late instar larvae of anopheline and culicine mosquitoes were more abundant in the controls than in theBtiand neem treated habitats. Within treated habitats, early instar anopheline mosquitoes were recovered more from habitats provided with neem and fish compared toBtitreated habitats. All treated habitats recorded higher numbers of early instar larvae than late instars or pupae, indicating that gravid female mosquitoes still oviposited within treated habitats.Conclusions: Neem chippings are a good tool for mosquito larval source management under field conditions. However, more research needs to be done to quantify the contribution of this tool to the overall mosquito borne disease transmission.

Keywords

Anopheline, Azadirachta indica, Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis, Botanicals, Bti, Culicine, Mosquitoes, Neem chippings, Nyabondo

PubMed ID

25888120

Download

Share

COinS