Feeding pattern of anopheline and culicine mosquitoes in relation to biotopes and seasons in Delhi and environs.

ABSTRACT

In the studies to know the feeding pattern of various species of mosquitoes, a total of 7461 specimens comprising of Anopheles culicifacies (150), An. stephensi (61), An. subpictus (990), An. annularis (572), Culex quinquefasciatus (5217) and C. vishnui group (471) of mosquitoes were collected from different biotopes of selected localities in Delhi and environs during all the months of the year. The mosquito blood samples were processed by Gel diffusion technique to know the source of blood meal. Results of study revealed that the mosquito species tested in the study were by and large zoophilic and opportunistic feeders. The feeding behaviour was found to be highly influenced by biotopes from where the mosquitoes were collected, village and areas, different climatic seasons, sleeping behaviour of human beings and availability of alternative hosts particularly animal population. Overall anthropophilic index was found to be 24.66% for An. culicifacies, 20.96% for An. stephensi, 16.93% for An. subpictus, 9.96% for An. annularis, 26.33% for C. quinquefasciatus and 36.39% for C. vishnui group of mosquitoes. Feeding behaviour towards other animals viz bovine, goat, dog, pig and bird for all these mosquito species in different months and biotopes e.g. human dwellings, cattle sheds and mixed dwellings; in different months and seasons of the year have been presented.