Breeding habitats of malaria vectors: A. fluviatilis, A. annularis and A. culicifacies, in Koraput district, Orissa

Abstract

Anopheline breeding habitats were studied in two different geoclimatic zones. The vectors A. fluviatilis, A annularis and A. culicifacies breed in all types of habitats. Streams were most productive for the main vector, A. fluviatilis and breeding was intense during winter and early summer. In the rainy season, breeding occurred in terraced paddy fields. A. culicifacies were produced in large numbers in rivers in summer and in paddy fields in rainy and cold seasons. Considering the vastness of these breeding habitats, vector control measures by larviciding or any other bioenvironmental means will not be a feasible alternative even though house spraying poses serious problems in this area due to several reasons. The use of personal protection methods is suggested.