ABUNDANCE OF MOSQUITO SPECIES WITHIN SOKOTO METROPOLIS
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ABUNDANCE OF MOSQUITO SPECIES WITHIN SOKOTO METROPOLIS
ABSTRACT
The study aimed to assess the abundance of mosquito species in Sokoto city. Three (3) places, Danbuwa, Gobirawa, and GidanIgwai, in three (3) Local Government Areas (DangeShuni, Sokoto South, and Sokoto North) were selected among the five (5) Local Government Areas that comprise Sokoto Metropolis.
A total of 341 mosquito species from two genera were collected. The genera recognised include Anopheles and Culex. Culex and Anopheles genera had significantly different numbers, with 213 (62.5%) and 128 (37.5%), respectively. The sample consisted of 194 males (56.9%) and 147 females (43.1%), indicating a substantial gender difference (P > 0.05).
The sample included 57 engorged mosquitoes (39%), and 90 non-engorged mosquitoes (61%). There was no substantial difference between engorged and non-engorged mosquitoes. P <0.05. There were more males than females in the Danbuwa area.
In the Gobirawa area, males outnumbered females. In GidanIgwai region, males outnumbered females. However, the values were not significant (p<0.05).
Only Danbuwa had a higher proportion of engorged females than non-engorged individuals, whereas the other two locations showed lower proportions. However, the values were negligible (p<0.05).
The study raises public health concerns due to the presence of mosquito species known to transmit diseases.
Chapter One: 1.0 Introduction
Mosquitoes are about 3–6 mm in length. Some species can range in size from 2 mm to 19 mm (Service, 2008). Males have longer and bushier antennas, whereas females have shorter ones.
Female mosquitoes typically have long mouthparts designed for piercing and sucking blood. Males have rudimentary mouthparts and eat on nectar/water. Females in this group prefer the blood of warm-blooded animals.
When they bite, they inject saliva into the wound, leading to swelling and inflammation. Injecting infectious microorganisms can spread diseases like malaria, yellow fever, dengue, and filariasis (Patel et al, 2012).
The mosquito family Culicidae contains 3300 species in 41 genera (Service, 2008). This family comprises three subfamilies: Toxorhynchitinae, Anophelinae (anophelines), and Culicinae (culicines).
Mosquitoes are found all across the planet, including the tropics, temperate zones, and even the Arctic Circle. They are only absent from Antarctica and a few islands. They are located at heights of 5500 meters and depths of 1250 meters below sea level (Service, 2008).
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Pest and vector species mostly include Anopheles, Culex, Aedes, Ochlerotatus, Psorophora, Haemagogus, and Sabethes.Anopheles species can transmit malaria, filariasis (Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugiamalayi, and Brugiatimori), and some arboviruses.
Culex species can spread Wuchereria bancrofti and many arboviruses. Aedes species are known vectors of various arboviruses, including yellow fever, dengue, encephalitis, and, in some places, Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugiamalayi. Filariasis and encephalitis viruses can be transmitted by Ochlerotatus species, which are closely related.
Mansonia species can transmit Brugiamalayi, Wuchereria bancrofti, and several arboviruses. Haemagogus and Sabethes mosquitoes transmit yellow fever and other arboviruses in Central and South America, while Psorophora mosquitoes transmit pest species and arboviruses in North and South America (Service, 2008).
Although some species are not disease carriers, they can cause significant nuisance due to their biting behaviour.
Mosquitoes are well-known for their bites that cause the production of antibodies, particularly in houses. This is owing to the venom’s harmful protein content, which can be inoculated by bites (11).
It might also produce severe aches and allergic reactions. This species can cause discomfort to hosts, particularly higher vertebrates, due to its noises, in addition to biting (Richard, 1993).
Mosquitoes are extensively distributed due to their flexibility, rapid reproduction rate, and wings that allow them to travel large distances. Mosquitoes deposit eggs in stagnant water. Examples include pools, ditches, gutters, rivers, streams, and other locations (Patel et al., 2012).
Some mosquito species prefer to bite birds or amphibians, rather than humans. Some mosquito species prefer to eat during the day, whereas others feed at night (Ilahi, 2013). Mosquito species have evolved to lay their eggs in certain sites (Patricia et al., 2014).
Female mosquitoes lay eggs in water, including rushing water, forest ponds, marshes, swamps, estuaries, and rain barrels (Service, 2008).
1.1 Statement of the Research Problem
Mosquito bites can cause allergic reactions, skin irritations, itching, restlessness, and sleeplessness (Onyidoet al., 2009). Some bite during the day, while others bite at night, or both.
They can transmit human illnesses such as viruses, bacteria, protozoa, and helminthic disorders by sucking blood. Malaria, yellow fever, filariasis, dengue, and viral encephalitis are among the fatal diseases transmitted to humans (Ukpai and Ajoku, 2003).
Anopheles mosquitoes, namely Anophelesgambiae, spread malaria and filariasis. Aedes mosquitoes, including Aedesaegypti, A. albopictus, A. africanus, A. luteocephalus, and A. simpsoni, can spread yellow fever, dengue, hemorrhagic fevers, and viral encephalitis.
Culex mosquitoes, particularly Culex quinquefasciatus, are major carriers of filarial worms, including Wuchereria bancrofti, which causes elephantiasis. They also spread viral encephalitis (Onyido et al., 2009).
Mosquitoes attack animals and spread diseases such as fowl pox sickness in chickens, myxomatosis in rabbits, rift valley fever in sheep, encephalitis in horses, and heartworm in dogs (Service, 1980).
These diseases have a high mortality rate in both humans and animals, resulting in low socioeconomic development in many nations.
1.2 Significance of the Research
Mosquitoes continue to be a leading cause of fatal infections worldwide, including in Nigeria. They also create noise, which can be disruptive. However, they have a crucial ecological role by providing food for fish, birds, bats, frogs, and insects (Patricia et al., 2014).
This work provides valuable insights into mosquito diversity and distribution, which can aid in creating efficient control measures.
1.3 Aim and Objectives of the Research
The research aims to identify the abundance and distribution of mosquito species in Sokoto Metropolis.
This research aims to identify species in the areas under study.
• Identify the most common mosquito species in the area. • Analyse mosquito distribution based on collecting location, sex, and feeding condition.
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