Habitat Characteristics and Seasonal Breeding Dynamics of Anopheles gambiae s.l (Diptera: Culicdae) in the Rural Communities of Ebonyi State, Nigeria- Implication for Vector Control

Malaria transmission is to a large extent, determined by the availability of larval breeding habitats and the consequent production and distribution of adult vectors. This study accessed the habitat characteristics and larval abundance of malaria vector in the rural communities of Ebonyi State Nigeria. Larval collection was made on monthly basis between 7:00am and 11:00am on each sampling day, using WHO standard dipper of 350ml capacity. All larvae collected each day were appropriately labeled and taken to the vector research unit of Medical Microbiology laboratory, Ebonyi State University, for identification. Temperature and pH of the breeding water, were directly measured in the field using appropriate instruments. Data generated were analyzed using statistical package for social sciences (SPSS) version 20.0. General linear model multivariate analysis of variance was used to estimate 95% confidence interval in larval densities. Our result showed highest peak of larval abundance in June, 9543(4.49±2.824) in 2020 and July, 3800(2.09±1.069) in 2021. The mean larval density varied among communities and villages with the highest abundance (15,802), recorded in Okposi Umuoghara. Larval abundance was highest in puddle (33,064), habitats with clear water (26,809), and sunlit habitats (35,031). Temperature and pH of the breeding water were positively correlated with anopheline larval density (r=0.19; P>0.05), and (r=0.009; P>0.05), respectively. An understanding of the larval breeding habitat preferences, how the availability of the vectors, influences malaria prevalence would be extremely relevant to design malaria control strategies through vector control approach. Key words: Malaria, season, breeding, habitats larval abundance, Rural communities, Ebonyi State.