Behavioural biting preference of Culex quinquefasciatus in human host in Lagos metropolis Nigeria
Background & objectives: Olfactory cues play an important role in the attraction of major diseasevectors towards their host. Hence we intend to investigate the contribution of selected parts of thehuman host on the behavioural biting preference of Culex quinquefasciatus.Methods: Two volunteers w...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
2006-03-01
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| Series: | Journal of Vector Borne Diseases |
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| Online Access: | http://www.mrcindia.org/journal/issues/431016.PDF |
| Summary: | Background & objectives: Olfactory cues play an important role in the attraction of major diseasevectors towards their host. Hence we intend to investigate the contribution of selected parts of thehuman host on the behavioural biting preference of Culex quinquefasciatus.Methods: Two volunteers were trained to collect host seeking female mosquitoes landing to feed ondifferent parts of the lower limbs. The Cx. quinquefasciatus were collected in paper cups with the aidof a flash-light and aspirator. Each paper cup was labeled to represent the selected parts where themosquitoes were collected.Results: The composition of Cx. quinquefasciatus from the total mosquitoes collected showed thatCx. quinquefasciatus was more predominant (90%) over other species present. The average minimumand maximum atmospheric temperature recorded during the night catches were 27 and 29.5oC whilethe average relative humidity range was 78–81.6%. The behavioural biting preference results obtainedshowed that the density of Cx. quinquefasciatus mosquitoes preferring the foot region (298) wassignificantly higher (p > 0.05) when compared with other different parts of the human host such asthe ankle, calf and the thigh.Interpretation & conclusion: The study indicates that the foot region of the human host has a strongerinfluence in orientating mosquitoes towards the human host. Hence, the exploitation of thecharacteristic human odour will add to the existing vector control strategies. |
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| ISSN: | 0972-9062 |