Some Ecological Aspects of Malaria Vectors in Saravan Area, Iran

Background & Aims of the Study: The aim of this study was to determine the ecology ofmalaria vectors in order to select the vector control masseur in the future. This study wascarried out on trend of malaria cases and malaria vectors in Saravan county, Sistan &Baluchestan Province, Iran.Materials & Methods: The adult mosquitoes were collected by standard Pyrethrum spacespray collection and larvae by dipping method twice a month in 2011 for 12 months.Samples were identified by systematic keys. The 5-year epidemiological data was collectedfrom Malaria Control Centre, Iranian Ministry of Health and Medical Education.Results: Four Anopheles species identified including; Anopheles (Cellia) stephensi Liston,Anopheles (Cellia) dthali Patton, An. (Cellia) culicifacies Giles, An. (Cellia) fluviatilisJames. Anopheles stephensi was predominant species whereas An. fluviatilis was the lowestspecies in adult collection. A minimum temperature of larval habitat was 14ºC for An.fluviatilis and maximum was 26°C for An. stephensi. Monthly peak activity of An.stephensi larvae found in April and October and in adult form found in May and October.Monthly peak activity of An. culicifacies larvae found in June and September whereasobserved in July and November for adults. An. dthali larvae collected more in Septemberand November whereas Adult form found more in July and November. The number ofmalaria cases between 2007 to 2011 showed the decrease in first 4 years and then increasein the last years.Conclusions: The dominant species was An. stephensi comprised 54.07% of larvae and49.16% of adults. We suggest studying on biological forms of this species with specificfocus on the bordering areas between Iran and Pakistan in the future.

Keywords:

Anopheles stephensiEcologyMalariaSaravan , Sistan &Balouchestan , Iran