Contributions of Commercial Water-based Human Activity Ventures to Mosquito (Diptera: Culicidae) in Minna Metropolis, Nigeria

Abstract

Mosquitoes thrive in almost all aquatic habitats of which most are human induced; and inherent prevailing physicochemical parameters are important factors in the productivity of Mosquitoes. This premise formed the basis of the present study in Minna, North–Central, Nigeria. Four kinds of peri-domestic commercial ventures were selected for the study namely, (Fish pond, Block industry, Flower garden and Car wash centres) during April-June 2014. Sampling of mosquitoes and physicochemical analysis were carried out following standard protocols. A total of 6101 mosquitoes comprising of 3 genera: Aedes, Culex and Anopheles, were collected in order of preponderance; Cx. pipiens (3,077, 50.43%), Cx. territans (1,455, 23.85%), Cx. salinarius (595, 9.75%), An. fransicanus (267, 4.38%), Ae. aegyti (243, 3.98%), Cx nigripalpus (184, 3.02%), Cx. tarsalis (140, 2.94%), An.quadrimaculatus (124, 2.03%) and Ae. albopictus (16, 0.26%),. Flower gardens were the most productive, distantly followed by Block industries, Fish ponds and Car wash centres, which accounted for 45.25%, 28.96%, 13.67% and 12.11% respectively, of the Mosquito species collected. Analysis of Physicochemical parameters of the various water bodies, showed that apart from pH (7.05±0.15 _ 8.24±0.51) and Nitrate (mg/l)(0.08±0.02 _ 0.14±0.07) which shows no significant variation (p>0.05), other parameters investigated conductivity (mS/cm)(92.50±32.50-172.50±23.50), DO (mg/l)(8.00±1.0010.00±2.00), Alkalinity (39.00±9.00 -11.00±2.00m/l), Hardness (mg/l),(111.00±3.00-133.00±15.00), Total dissolve solids (mg/l) (48.70±30.90-67.70±18.90), Nitrate (mg/l)(0.08±0.02-0.14±0.07), Phosphate (mg/l) (0.50±0.00-2.52±1.91), BOD (mg/l)(3.50±1.50-8.00±2.00) and Carbonate (mg/l) (3.28±0.12-5.87 ±0.59) varied significantly among the larval habitats. The information can be incorporated in the development of site-specific and cost-effective mosquito vector control strategies.