Prevalence and vector potentiality of mosquitoes from Thrissur, Kerala

One thousand eighty seven mosquitoes collected from different locations in Thrissur district, KeraIa state were identified into 27 species under seven genera. The different genera in the order of prevalence were Culex, Mansonia, Anopheles, Armigeres, Aedes, Oehlerotatus and Toxorhynehites. The most prevalent species in cattle shed was Culex tritaeniorhynehus, while in human dwellings, it was Cx. quinque/aseiatus. A second set of 1001 mosquitoes collected from cattle shed when dissected did not yield any helminth larva while dissection of 1019 mosquitoes from human dwellings in the vicinity of dog houses revealed helminth larvae in two. The larvae were identified as those of Dirofilaria repens based on morophology.