Seasonal and temporal distribution of mosquito species in Awka South local government area, Anambra state, Nigeria
Author(s): Ifejika CC, Umeanaeto PU and Uzochukwu CU
Abstract: Mosquito-borne diseases remain a major public health problem in Nigeria. This study investigated seasonal and temporal distribution of mosquito species in Awka South Local Government Area, Anambra State, Nigeria between November 2023 and October 2024. The aim was to determine the effects of rainfall, temperature, and relative humidity on mosquito species abundance and temporal distribution. Outdoor and indoor adult mosquitoes were collected using human landing catch (HLC) and pyrethroid knockdown method, respectively. A total of 616 mosquitoes were collected, comprising Culex quinquefasciatus (38.9%), Aedes aegypti (21.2%), Aedes albopictus (16.6%), Anopheles gambiae (12.2%), Anopheles funestus (3.9%), Mansonia africana (6.9%) and Culex trigripes (0.6%). The highest abundance occurred during months of elevated rainfall and high relative humidity. Regression analysis revealed a weak positive correlation between mosquito abundance and temperature (R = 0.143; R² = 0.020; p = 0.658), which was not significant. Relative humidity showed a strong positive correlation (R = 0.915; R² = 0.837; p = 2.89 × 10??), while rainfall exhibited a very strong positive correlation (R = 0.963; R² = 0.927; p = 0.000384), with higher collections aligning with peak rainfall months. The study concluded that mosquito abundance is strongly shaped by rainfall and relative humidity.
