Significance of coconut husk pits as larval habitats of Culex quinquefasciatus (Say) in the filariasis endemic coastal belt of Sri Lanka.

ABSTRACT

Extended surveys of coconut husk pits in three districts in a study of vectors of Japanese encephalitis showed that Cx. gelidus constituted 50.9% of the larval material in Panadurra, 77.7% in Allutgama and 75.2% in Talalla. Correspondingly, Cx. quinquefasciatus was 0, 4.1 and 0 percent respectively. A similar survey in Polhena, Matara, a well known filariasis endemic village showed 72.2% Cx. gelidus and 21.2% Cx. quinquefasciatus. Analysis of past records of husk pit surveys from seven other districts gave similar results. The reason for relatively higher breeding of Cx. quinquefasciatus in the husk pits at Polhena, Matara and a suggested vector control strategy are discussed.