Spatial Monthly Distribution of Malaria Parasite and Anopheles Mosquitoes in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria.

Malaria is a life-threatening mosquito-borne tropical disease that continues to pose public health challenges in Nigeria. This study was conducted to evaluate the spatial monthly and seasonal distribution of Anopheles mosquito in Minna, Niger State, Nigeria. Mosquitoes were sampled using the Pyrethroid Spray Catch (PSC) technique and were identified morphologically using keys. A total of 3303 (100%) mosquito vectors were captured between June 2016 and May 2017. The total number of mosquitoes captured comprised, 791(23.95%) Anopheline and 2512(76.05%) Culicine. The highest number of mosquito vectors were captured in May 2017 with 528(15.99%) followed by 453(13.71%) in August 2016, while the least of 78(2.36%) were captured in November 2016 (P<0.05). Out of the 791(23.95%) Anopheles mosquitoes captured, the highest being 233 (44.13%) was recorded in May 2017. Seven (7) species of female Anopheles mosquitoes were encountered during the study period, namely: Anopheles gambiae (53.22%), Anopheles funestus (18.46%), Anopheles squamosus (4.55%), Anopheles moucheti (5.07%), Anopheles coustani (9.23%), Anopheles nili (7.21%) and Anopheles pharoensis (2.28%). This study revealed a high distribution of Anopheles mosquitoes in the study areas. The results of this study would be useful in planning an effective site-specific malaria vector control, as it highlights the need to give special consideration to the predominance of a single malaria vector, Anopheles gambiae in Minna, Niger State.