Fauna and some biologic charactristics of Anopheles mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in malaria high risk regions: Hormozgan Province, 2007-2008

Introduction: Anopheles mosquitoes are the sole biologic vectors of mlaria. Up to now, more than 480 species of Anopheles have been identified. The present study was achieved to identify the Anopheles mosquitoes of malaria high risk foci in Hormozgan province (Bashagard and Syahoo districts) and detect their main biologic charactristics in 2007-2008. Methods: Larvae, pupae and adult mosquitoes were captured in a descriptive- cross sectional study from selected villages. Adults were captured using total catch, aspiration and shelter pit methods. 4th instar larvae and adults were identified microscopically using identification keys. Anthropophilic tendency of 184 adult fed females were chequed by ELISA. Some females of dominant species were dissected to cheque for oocyst ans sporozoite of Plasmodium. Night activity of adults was assessed in a night catch operation using volunteer human bait. Results: Totally 5496 larvae and 1986 adults of Anopheles mosquitoes were identified. Eight species were identified as the Anopheles fauna in malaria high risk foci consisting of Anopheles stephensi (34.63%), An. moghulensis (22.28%), An. dthali (13.84%), An. fluviatilis (10.34%), An. culicifacies (9.51%), An. turkhudi (6.95%), An. sergenti (1.63%) and An. superpictus (0.8%). Conclusion: An. moghulensis could be a suspected vector in the Bashagard district because of very high population. Because of endophilic tendency and relative high anthropophilic index (20.58%). It is recommended that infants and pregnant women use the impregnated bed nets because the mosquito's blood feeding activity starts from the early night.