[Anopheles paludis: important vector of malaria in Zaire]

An entomological study was carried out on the transmission of malaria in the Bandundu region, Zaïre, during the dry season (July and August 1991). Five Anopheles species were recorded: Anopheles paludis, A. gambiae, A. funestus, A. moucheti and A. nili. A paludis was the dominant species and represents 55.1% of the total; the average number of A. paludis bites per man/day was 4.2. The sporozoite index was 6.2%; the inoculation rate due to A. paludis was h = 0.26, 1 infective bite each 4 days. A. paludis plays an important role with A. gambiae and is considered as one of the main vectors of malaria in this region.