Species Composition, Seasonal Abundance, and Indoor Resting Behaviour of Anopheline Mosquitoes in Rural Communities of Ebonyi State, Nigeria
Main Article Content
Abstract
This study assessed the species composition and distribution of malaria vectors in two malaria endemic communities of Ezza North Local Government Area (LGA), Ebonyi State, Nigeria, using key entomological indicators: species composition, blood feeding behaviour and indoor resting density of Anopheles mosquitoes. Sample collection was conducted monthly from June to December 2023 using pyrethrum spray catch method in 40 randomly selected houses. Collected specimens were transported to the laboratory where they were sorted and identified using entomological keys. Data were analyzed using Chi-square tests at a 95% confidence level. A total of 785 female Anopheles mosquitoes belonging to seven (7) different species (Anopheles gambiae s.l, An. funestus, An. hancocki, An. maculipalpis, An. rufipes, An. coustani and An. nili) were collected with Anopheles gambiae accounting for 86% of all collections (p < 0.05). Vector indoor resting density showed highest peak in June (6.25 and 3.8) in Ekwetekwe and Ugalaba, respectively. Gonotrophic stage analysis shows that 80.0% were blood-fed, 5.9% unfed, 4.1% half-gravid, and 10.1% gravid. These findings confirm An. gambiae s.l. as the primary malaria vector in Ezza North LGA. High endophagy and seasonal abundance indicate ongoing transmission risk, underscoring the need for strengthened vector surveillance and integrated control measures.
Article Details
How to Cite
Anyaehie, S. I., Elom, M. O., Nwele, D. E., & Chibuko, H. (2026). Species Composition, Seasonal Abundance, and Indoor Resting Behaviour of Anopheline Mosquitoes in Rural Communities of Ebonyi State, Nigeria. The Bioscientist Journal, 13(2), 91-102. https://doi.org/10.54117/the_bioscientist.v13i2.195
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
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Parasitology, 60(3): 173-179.
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Use of insecticide-treated nets
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Parasitology 38(1):85. DOI:
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indoor sampled mosquitoes and
their implications in disease
transmission in Abeokuta, South-
Western Nigeria. Journal of Vector
Borne Disease 47:33-38.
Ali, M.D. (2012). Malaria.
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Okpara, K.N., Atting, I. A.,
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L.P. (2024). Biting rhythms of
malaria vectors in the urban area of
Itu, Akwa Ibom State, Nigeria.
Nigerian Journal of Entomology, 40
(2): 121- 136.
Bhatt, S., Weiss, D. J., Cameron, E.,
Bisanzio, D., Mappin, B., and
Dalrymple, U., (2015). The effect of
malaria control on Plasmodium
falciparum in Africa between 2000
and 2015. Nature. 526, 207–211.
doi: 10.1038/nature15535
Centre for Disease Prevention and Control
(2021). Severe Malaria. Accessed
2 nd April, 2024.
Coetzee, M. (2020). Key to females of
Afrotropical Anopheles mosquitoes
(Diptera: Culicidae) Malaria journal
19, 70.
http://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-020-
3144-9
11
Anyaehie et al., 2026
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An observational analysis of the
impact of deltamethrin
+piperonylbutoxide insecticide
treated bed nets on malaria case
incidence and entomological
indicators in Ebonyi State, Nigeria,
2017-2021. Malaria Journal, 23:
317 -328.
Egbuche C. M., Onyido A. E., Akunna F.
G., Ogbonna C. U., Ukonze, C. B.
and Ezihe, C. K. (2019). Breeding
habitats of Anopheles mosquitoes in
a riverine locality of Anambra
State: Types, Preferences,
Availability and Productivity. The
Bioscientist, 9(2): 44 – 61.
Egbuche, C. M., Onyido, A. E., Umeanaeto,
P. U., Omah, I. F., Ukonze, C. B.,
Okeke, J. J., Ezihe, C. K., Irikannu,
K. C., Aniekwe, M. I., Ogbodo, J.
C and Enyinnaya, J. O. (2020).
Anopheles species composition and
some climatic factors that
influence their survival and
population abundance in Anambra
East LGA, Anambra State, Nigeria.
Nigerian Journal of Parasitology,
41 (2): 240 – 250.
Egbuche, C., Ezaka, E., Odoh, V., Omah, I.,
Okwubanego, C., Obi, C., Dashar,
T., Egbobe, J. Olisakwe, S.,
Okafor, T. and Nwankwo, I.
(2021). Mosquito Fauna of
Anambra East LGA, Anambra
State, Nigeria. Journal of
Entomology and Zoological
Studies, 9(3): 32 – 39.
Elosiuba, N.V., Akulue, J.C., Imakwu, C.A.,
Chikwendu, J.I., Ogbuefi, E.O. and
Onyido, A.E. (2023). Abundance
and diversity of man-biting
mosquito species in the tropical
rainforest belt of Southeastern
Nigeria. Journal of Entomology and
Zoology Studies, 11(2): 52- 56.
Garba, Y. (2023). Distribution of the African
malaria vectors (Anopheline)
mosquitoes in Kontagora, North
Central Nigeria. Journal of Applied
Sciences and Environmental
Management, 27(4): 789-791.
Koffi, A.A., Camara, S., Alou, L.P.A.,
Oumbouke, W.A., Wolie, R. Z., Tia,
I.Z., Sternberg, E. D. Yapo, F.H.A.,
Koffi, F.M., Assi, S. B., Cook, J.,
Thomas, M. B. and Nguessan, R.
(2023). Anopheles vector
distribution and malaria
transmission dynamics in Gbeke
region, Central Cote d’Ivoire.
Malaria Journal, 22: 192.
Lamidi, T.B. (2009). Distribution and
seasonal abundance of Anopheline
mosquito species in Ngum, Yobe
State, North-Eastern Nigeria.
Animal Research International,
6(1):949- 952.
Maaji, A. U, Sambo, F. I., Dhakar, R.,
Bataiya, B.S., Shitu, A. S.,
Muhammed, S.S., Lawan, F.A. and
Idris, S.D.C. (2024). Determination
of malaria vector species
composition and relative abundance
and distribution at Imawa Kura
Local Government Area of Kano
State, Nigeria. International
Journal of Mosquito Research,
11(5): 31- 39.
12
Anyaehie et al., 2026
NPC, (2022). National Population
Commission of Nigeria (NPC)
(web). Accessed at
www.citypopulation.de.
Nwana, A.O., Okoh, H.I., Oyeniyi, A.T. and
Adeogu, A.O. (2021). Larval habitat
characterization and molecular
identification of Anopheles gambiae
complex in three Local Government
Areas (LGAs) of Ekiti State,
Nigeria. Pan African Journal of Life
Sciences, 5(3): 312- 320.
Nwele, D. E., Elom, M. O., Onwe, C. S.,
Ibiam, G. A. and Ogbonna, O.E.S.
(2025). Habitat Characteristics
and Seasonal Breeding Dynamics of
Anopheles gambiae s.l (Diptera:
Culicdae) in the Rural Communities
of Ebonyi State, Nigeria- Implication
for Vector Control. African J. Trop.
Entomol. Res. 4(2):78-86
Nwele, D. E., Onyali, I.O., Iwueze, M.O.,
Elom, M.O. and Uguru, O.E.S.
(2022). Malaria endemicity in rural
communities of Ebonyi State,
Nigeria. Korean Journal of
Parasitology, 60(3): 173-179.
Nwele D. E. and Nwaorgu O. (2017).
Use of insecticide-treated nets
(ITNS) among households and its
Impact on malaria prevalence in the
communities in Ezza North Local
Government Area of Ebonyi
State, Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of
Parasitology 38(1):85. DOI:
10.314/njpar.v38i1.16
Nwigwe, J. O., Ani, O. C., Odikamnoro, O.
O., Nwele, D. E., Uruaku, C. S.,
Anoh, R. E., Ozibo, A. F.,
Nwokporo, N. R., Chukwu, J. N.,
Ede, J. U. and Elom, M. O. (2025).
Species Diversity and some
Factors that Influence the
Distribution and Abundance of
Indoor Malaria Vector in Ndiegu
Community in Ebonyi Local
Government Area of Ebonyi State,
Nigeria. Nigerian Journal of
Parasitology, 46(2): 355-365.
Nyirakanani, Chantal; Chibvongodze,
Raymond; Kariuki, Lenson; Habtu,
Michael; Masika, Moses; Mukoko,
Dunstan and Njunwa. Kato J.
(2017} Characterization of malaria
vectors in Huye District, Southern
Rwanda. Tanzania Journal of
Health Research Volume 19,
Number 3. Doi:
http://dx.doi.org/10.4314/thrb.v19i3
.8.
Oduola, A.O., Obembe, A., Lateef, S.A.,
Abdulbaki, M.K., Kehinde, E.A.,
Adelaja, O.J., Shittu, O., Tola, M.,
Oyeniyi, T.A. and Awolola, T. S.
(2021). Species composition and
Plasmodium falciparum infection
rates of Anopheles gambiae s.l
mosquitoes in six localities of
Kwara State, North Central Nigeria.
Journal of Applied Sciences and
Environmental Management,
25(10): 1801-1806.
Ogbuefi, E.O. and Aribodor, D.N. (2023).
Assessing the entomological
parameters of malaria vectors in
Anambra State, South East Nigeria.
Asian Journal of Research in
Zoology, 6(3): 1- 15.
Onyango, S.A., Kitron, U., Mungai, P.,
Muchiri, E.M., Kokwaro, E., King,
C.H. and Mutuku, F.M. (2013)
‘Monitoring malaria vector control
interventions: Effectiveness of five
different adult mosquito sampling
methods.’ Journal of Medical
13
Anyaehie et al., 2026
Entomology.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1603/ME12206
Shadreck Sande, S., Zimba, M., Chinwada,
P. Masendu, H. T., Mberikunshe, J.
and Makuwaza, A. (2016). A
review of new challenges and
prospects for malaria elimination in
Mutare and Mutasa Districts,
Zimbabwe. Malar J. (2016) 15:360
Sinka ME, Bangs MJ, Manguin S, Rubio-
Palis Y, Chareonviriyaphap T,
Coetzee M, Mbogo CM,
Hemingway J, Patil AP, Temperley
WH, Gething PW, Kabaria CW,
Burkot TR, Harbach RE, Hay SI
(2012). A global map of dominant
malaria vectors. Parasite Vectors
5(69):111.
Woke, V. C., Inyama, P. U., Aribodor, D. N.,
Nwabueze, E., Omalu, I. C. J and
Samuel Sunday Eke, S. S. (2025).
Exploratory studies of Anopheles
species abundance in five selected
communities of Emohua LGA,
Rivers State. Journal of Entomology
and Nematology, 17(1): 15-22
World Health Organisation (2021). WHO
Guidelines for Malaria. Geneva,
Switzerland.
https://extranet.who.int/prequal/sites
/default/files/document_files/WHO
_Guidelines_Malaria_February2021
World Health Organisation (2024). Update
on Malaria Vaccine. Malaria Policy
Advisory Group Meeting Held on
4-5 March, 2024 in Yaounde,
Cameroon. Background Document for Section 2.