Ecological Distribution and Vector Potential of Anopheles Mosquitoes in Faridpur Tehsil of Bareilly District, Uttar Pradesh, India

Abstract

Malaria still hits hard in many tropical and subtropical areas, and parts of India aren’t spared. The disease spreads when a female Anopheles mosquito, carrying the parasite, bites someone. So, if we want to control malaria, we need to know which mosquito species are around and how good they are at spreading the parasite. In this study, I looked at the diversity and possible vector status of Anopheles mosquitoes in Faridpur Tehsil, Bareilly district, Uttar Pradesh. I collected mosquitoes all year from different spots—inside homes, cattle sheds, mixed shelters, and outdoor resting places. After catching them, I used standard morphological keys to figure out which species I had. Then I dissected the females to check their midguts and salivary glands for malaria parasites. I found ten different Anopheles species in the area. The most common were Anopheles culicifacies, Anopheles fluviatilis, Anopheles stephensi, Anopheles annularis, and Anopheles maculatus. When I looked closer, I found malaria parasites in Anopheles fluviatilis, which points to its role as a malaria vector here. Even though the infection rate was low, this species matters in the local transmission of the disease. These results make one thing clear: we can’t let up on mosquito surveillance and integrated vector control if we want to cut down malaria risk in the rural parts of Bareilly district..