Vol. 8, Issue 2, Part B (2021)

Author(s): Mensur Yenus, Micheal Berhe, Micheal Brhane, Amanuel Kiflemariam and Kros Sereke

Abstract: In Eritrea malaria is still remains a public health concern despite the drastic decline in morbidity and mortality. With all the achievements, little has been invested in entomological studies. So the gains may be reversed considering the receptivity and vulnerability of most of the malarias areas and/or previously malarias areas. A cross-sectional entomological survey was conducted in 3 sentinel sites of Anseba zone, Eritrea during the period Aug. – Nov.2020 for a comprehensive analysis on abundance, distribution and bionomics of potential malaria vectors. Mosquito immature stages and adults were collected from different habitats using both immature and adult collection options. From the total 40 aquatic larval habitats, more than 77.5% were River edges found along the Anseba River, animal foot print, small streams, dams and swamps was among the preferred mosquito breeding habitats. Larval densities among the study sites were found to be high with approximately 20.7 larvae per dip. A total of 1746 femal mosquitoes were identified to their species level morphologically. As a result 5 species were identified vis. An. gambiae, An. cineruse, An pretoriensis, An. pharoensis and other 1 species not identified yet. An gambiae was the most dominant vector and was found to be endophlic and endophagic. The pick biting hours were found to be from 08:00pm-12:00pm, most high at 10:00pm to 12:00pm. Nearly 95% of all adult mosquitoes collected using human landing catch was between these hours.