Mosquito Genera in Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

This study was focused on the determination of mosquito genera at Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, North Central Nigeria. Mosquitoes were collected for four weeks (4) on a weekly basis indoors at dawn from the female hostel of Prince Abubakar Audu University, Anyigba, Kogi State, Nigeria. Samples were collected from three different blocks (A, B, and C) of the study area. The samples were identified clearly based on their visible morphological features up to genus levels using routine methods. The data obtained from the study was analyzed using an SPSS version 21.0 for windows. Analysis of variance was used to test for significant difference in the abundance of mosquitoes’ genera between weeks and blocks. The resulting outputs were presented in tables. The weekly mosquito genera and relative abundance in block A of the study area showed that the total mosquito genera recorded were Anopheles 72 (40%), Culex 73 (40.6%), and Aedes 35 (19.4%). Mosquitoes were most abundant in week 4 (31.1%) and least abundant in week 1 (18.9%) in block A of the study area, which were statistically significant at P < 0.05. The weekly mosquito genera and relative abundance in block B of the study area showed that the total mosquito genera recorded were Anopheles 71 (39.7%), Culex 73 (40.8%), and Aedes 35 (19.6%). Mosquitoes were most abundant in week 4 (30.2%) and least abundant in week 1 (21.2%) in block B of the study area (P < 0.05). The weekly mosquito genera and relative abundance in block C of the study area showed that the total mosquito genera recorded were Anopheles 47 (37.6%), Culex 45 (36%), and Aedes 33 (26.4%). Mosquitoes were most abundant in week 1 (25.6%) and least abundant in week 2 (21.6%) in block C of the study area (P < 0.05). The total number of Anopheles in the study area was 190 (40.9%), followed by Culex at 181 (39%) and Aedes at 93 (20%). The most abundant mosquito genera were Anopheles and the least were Aedes (P < 0.05). The number of Anopheles, Culex, and Aedes species observed in this study is of grave epidemiological apprehension for the university community. Consequently, public health education on mosquito control is urgently needed.