Vol. 9, Issue 6, Part A (2022)

Among arthropod vectors, mosquitoes are the most important vector that transmit diseases such as Malaria, Filariasis, Chikungunya (CG), Dengue Fever (DF), Yellow Fever, Japanese Encephalitis (JE) etc. Forest fringe associated rubber plantation areas are more prone to the spread of zoonotic diseases to rural and urban areas. In view of this, a study was conducted to assess the species composition and density of mosquitoes in the urban and rural areas of rubber plantation sectors of Kottayam district. Two villages from forest fringe associated rubber plantation areas and two wards from urban areas of Kottayam district were selected for the study. Immature and adult mosquitoes were collected based on WHO standard procedures. A total of 14 mosquito species were recorded in the present study in which five species belong to the Aedeine group. Aedes albopictus was the predominant vector species in the study areas. Aedes albopictus was found to be abundant in the urban areas while Armigeres subalbatus was recorded as the prevalent species in the rural areas. Per man hour density of mosquitoes were found maximum during June and July and density of Aedes albopictus found maximum during the month of May. Water storage containers were observed to be the major breeding habitat for Ae. albopictus in urban areas and discarded or unused rubber latex collection containers were found to be the main breeding source for Ae albopictus in rural areas. Since Aedes transmitted diseases such as dengue and chikungunya are being reported in the study area entomological surveillance and its significance can be used to halt the outbreak as shown in this study.