This document discusses the ecology and control of mosquitoes. It notes that over 3,000 mosquito species exist worldwide and breed in various stagnant water sources. Mosquitoes can transmit diseases like malaria, dengue fever, and filariasis to humans and animals. Understanding mosquito ecology, including identifying breeding sites, is important for effective control strategies. Common control methods discussed are insecticide-treated bed nets, indoor residual spraying, larvicides, fish predators, and eliminating standing water where mosquitoes breed. Public education on mosquito biology and reducing contact is also key to controlling mosquito-borne diseases.

1. ECOLOGY AND CONTROL OF
MOSQUITO
BY
UWAMOSE,
Martin Nelson Osaigbokan
DEPARTMENT OF ANIMAL AND ENVIRONMENTAL BIOLOGY
FACULTY OF SCIENCE,
DELTA STATE UNIVERSITY, ABRAKA
AUGUST , 2014

2.  Mosquitoes are flies in the insect family Culicidae. Over 3,000 species
of mosquitoes are known to exist worldwide.
 Mosquitoes can be found in a wide variety of habitats/breeding sites
forming gutter, refuse dump, stagnant waters, e.tc.
 Because of their bloodsucking habits, mosquitoes are prone to vector
and transmit disease-causing organisms such as viruses (e.g. dengue,
equine encephalitis), protozoans (e.g. malaria), and filarial nematodes
(e.g. Brancrofti filarial) from their vertebrate hosts to humans and
animals.
 The importance of mosquito in human and animal diseases has made
them an important target of medical, veterinary, and conservation
research.
 However, the knowledge of the ecology and breeding sites of
mosquitoes will be indispensible before control can be effected.
 This studies will therefore highlight the ecological features and control
strategies of mosquitoes.

3. MAJOR TYPES OF MOSQUITOES
Fig. 1. Anopheline mosquito
Source: Google images
Fig. 2. Culicine mosquito
Source: Google images

5. MOSQUITO HABITATS (BREEDING SITES)
A Tree hole collecting rain water
A container collecting rain water
Stagnant water
Tire ruts holding water
Flower pots holding up water

6. FACTORS INFLUENCING MOSQUITO
DISTRIBUTION
 Change in environmental conditions
 Dry conditions or rainfall changes species
abundance
 Human habitations
 Agricultural changes

8. ECOLOGICAL IMPORTANCE
 Mosquitoes are typically good source of food for organisms such
as the larvae-eating fish (e.g. Gambusia “mosquito fish”),
immature dragonflies and damselflies, aquatic beetles, and
certain aquatic organisms such as planaria which feeds on the
larvae of moquitoes
 Adults are also source of food for terrestrial animals such as
frogs, lizards, birds, e.t.c.
 Mosquito larvae are filter feeders, but it is not clear exactly what
type of microorganisms they prefer to feed on.
 Mosquitoes are good vector of diseases and transmit many of
the most significant infectious disease of humans.
Mosquito fish, Gambusia affinis

9. CONTROL
 The two major strategies for vector
control are insecticide-treated (bed)
nets (ITNs) and indoor residual
spraying (IRS).
 Insecticide-treated (bed) Nets
(ITNs) is a preventive control
measure as it involves protecting
individuals with bed nets as most
mosquito bites occurs at night.
 Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS)
involves the use of insecticides which
results in the death of mosquitoes
often as they rest up after feeding.

10. CONTROL
Other control measures include;
 The use of predators such as
mosquito fish to reduce the
population of mosquitoes
 The use of larvicides to kill larvae
mosquitoes
 The use of personal protective
measures such as mosquito
repellents e.g. DEET or permethrin,
wearing long sleeves and trousers,
and staying of mosquitoes breeding
sites.
 Reducing or eliminating the potential
breeding sites around home.

11. CONCLUSION
The identification of the mosquito breeding sites and the
types of mosquito in any given area is useful in the planning
of control strategies against mosquito-borne diseases. As
there is a need to break the man-mosquito contact in order
to reduce the transmission of mosquito related infections.
The urban and rural dwellers should be enlightened on
those environmental factors that contribute to mosquito
breeding. Also, health education programs, which
highlights the biology and ecology of mosquitoes should be
encouraged so as to develop a comprehensive control
programme, as our lack of knowledge of mosquito ecology
will hamper our efforts to capitalize on molecular advances
and hinder the control of mosquito-borne diseases.