Effective immature malaria vector control requires a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between Anopheles larvae and their habitats. In this study, we assessed habitat characteristics of Anopheles larvae and species composition of adult anophelines emerged from pupae. A repeated cross-sectional and longitudinal entomological study was conducted covering the catchment areas of Akaki, Serti and Gelan health centers, Akaki Kality Sub-City, central Ethiopia. Anopheles larvae were collected within a 100-meter radius of households of microscopically confirmed malaria case in any of the health centers between March 2024 and February 2025. Sampling was performed using the standard 350 ml dipper. Plastic pipettes and small white enamel pans were used for habitats of smaller size and shallow water bodies. Habitats were characterized during the survey. The collected anopheline larvae were separated from culicinae, counted, recorded, and transported, reared to adults and morphologically identified at the Center for Pathobiology Research of the Aklilu Lemma Health Research Institute. A total of 294 potential habitats of immature mosquitoes that belonged to 18 types were assessed. Drainage systems (29.6%; 87/294) were the most common habitat types. In total, 6977 larvae and 824 pupae were collected of which Anopheles larvae were 3064 (43.9%) with a median number of 68 ([IQR] 49–136). The Anopheles species included An. christyi (64.7%), An. gambiae s.l. (15.7%), An. cinereus (10.6%), An. demeilloni (2.8%), An. rhodesiensis (2.4%), An. garnhami (1.04%), An. wilsoni (0.47%), An. stephensi (0.28%), and An. nili (0.09%). Temporary habitats, stagnant water, sunlit, relatively large water volume, neutral to slightly alkaline water pH, and high total dissolved solids (TDS) contributed to favorable conditions for Anopheles larvae. The presence of multiple immature Anopheles species breeding in a variety of aquatic habitats indicates the potential for sustained malaria vector proliferation in Akaki Kality Sub-City. Specific physicochemical habitat characteristics influence the abundance of immature anophelines. The occurrence of multiple Anopheles species and the presence of favorable habitats indicate the need for implementing larval surveillance and targeted larval source management practices as part of integrated malaria vector control strategies.

Immature anophelines and their habitat characteristics in an urban setting of central Ethiopia

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2026年7月27日

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Aynye Negesse,
Girmay Medhin,
Esayas Aklilu,
Abebe Animut

摘要

Effective immature malaria vector control requires a comprehensive understanding of the relationship between Anopheles larvae and their habitats. In this study, we assessed habitat characteristics of Anopheles larvae and species composition of adult anophelines emerged from pupae. A repeated cross-sectional and longitudinal entomological study was conducted covering the catchment areas of Akaki, Serti and Gelan health centers, Akaki Kality Sub-City, central Ethiopia. Anopheles larvae were collected within a 100-meter radius of households of microscopically confirmed malaria case in any of the health centers between March 2024 and February 2025. Sampling was performed using the standard 350 ml dipper. Plastic pipettes and small white enamel pans were used for habitats of smaller size and shallow water bodies. Habitats were characterized during the survey. The collected anopheline larvae were separated from culicinae, counted, recorded, and transported, reared to adults and morphologically identified at the Center for Pathobiology Research of the Aklilu Lemma Health Research Institute. A total of 294 potential habitats of immature mosquitoes that belonged to 18 types were assessed. Drainage systems (29.6%; 87/294) were the most common habitat types. In total, 6977 larvae and 824 pupae were collected of which Anopheles larvae were 3064 (43.9%) with a median number of 68 ([IQR] 49–136). The Anopheles species included An. christyi (64.7%), An. gambiae s.l. (15.7%), An. cinereus (10.6%), An. demeilloni (2.8%), An. rhodesiensis (2.4%), An. garnhami (1.04%), An. wilsoni (0.47%), An. stephensi (0.28%), and An. nili (0.09%). Temporary habitats, stagnant water, sunlit, relatively large water volume, neutral to slightly alkaline water pH, and high total dissolved solids (TDS) contributed to favorable conditions for Anopheles larvae. The presence of multiple immature Anopheles species breeding in a variety of aquatic habitats indicates the potential for sustained malaria vector proliferation in Akaki Kality Sub-City. Specific physicochemical habitat characteristics influence the abundance of immature anophelines. The occurrence of multiple Anopheles species and the presence of favorable habitats indicate the need for implementing larval surveillance and targeted larval source management practices as part of integrated malaria vector control strategies.