Implications of larval breeding sites on diversity of mosquito species in Suleja Metropolis, Northcentral Nigeria

Abstract

Information on native mosquito species viz-a-vis the nature of their breeding sites can help determine the epidemiology of mosquito-borne diseases in an environment, hence, species of mosquito in breeding sites were surveyed in Suleja metropolis. All accessible larval habitats were surveyed between June and October, 2023 within Suleja township and New (Sabo) Gwazunu both of which are within Suleja metropolis. A total of five species: An. gambiae s.l, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Aedes albopictus, Aedes aegypti, and Cx. papiens were encountered. The mean values of larvae recovered from transient habits such as rock holes and holes on shrubs and tree bark are significantly (P ˂ 0.05) higher than larvae recovered from run-off and drums in new (Sabo) Gwazunu. Disused wheel tires had the highest species diversity in Suleja township (Shannon-Weiner index=0.60) while the highest species diversity obtained in New Gwazunu is 0.48 Shannon-Weiner index. The contribution of ecosystems, together with the increasing rate of human activity, may give an abundance of breeding grounds for mosquitoes. It is therefore recommended that the human population in Suleja metropolis should maintain environmental sanitation and management.