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. 2007 Feb 21:6:18.
doi: 10.1186/1475-2875-6-18.

Biology and dynamics of potential malaria vectors in Southern France

Nicolas Ponçon  1 , Céline Toty, Grégory L'Ambert, Gilbert Le Goff, Cécile Brengues, Francis Schaffner, Didier Fontenille
Affiliations

Biology and dynamics of potential malaria vectors in Southern France

Nicolas Ponçon et al. Malar J. .

Abstract

Background: Malaria is a former endemic problem in the Camargue, South East France, an area from where very few recent data concerning Anopheles are available. A study was undertaken in 2005 to establish potential malaria vector biology and dynamics and evaluate the risk of malaria re-emergence.

Methods: Mosquitoes were collected in two study areas, from March to October 2005, one week every two weeks, using light traps+CO2, horse bait traps, human bait catch, and by collecting females in resting sites.

Results: Anopheles hyrcanus was the most abundant Anopheles species. Anopheles melanoon was less abundant, and Anopheles atroparvus and Anopheles algeriensis were rare. Anopheles hyrcanus and An. melanoon were present in summer, whereas An. atroparvus was present in autumn and winter. A large number of An. hyrcanus females was collected on humans, whereas almost exclusively animals attracted An. melanoon. Based on an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, almost 90% of An. melanoon blood meals analysed had been taken on horse or bovine. Anopheles hyrcanus and An. melanoon parity rates showed huge variations according to the date and the trapping method.

Conclusion: Anopheles hyrcanus seems to be the only Culicidae likely to play a role in malaria transmission in the Camargue, as it is abundant and anthropophilic.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Location of the Camargue and field study areas.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Seasonal dynamics of Anopheles melanoon and Anopheles hyrcanus at Carbonnière in 2005 (eight traps).
Figure 3
Figure 3
Seasonal dynamics of Anopheles melanoon, Anopheles hyrcanus and Anopheles algeriensis at Marais du Vigueirat in 2005 (eight traps).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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