Studies on malaria and filariasis vectors in Kamorta and Great Nicobar Islands

A total of 1401 adult mosquitoes mainly dominated by Anopheles sundaicus (40.18%) and Culex quinquefasciatus (57.31%) were collected from Kamorta and Great Nicobar Islands. It was revealed from human bait collection that both species prevailed almost all through the night (density 8.1/man hour) with a peak around midnight. Mixed breeding of A. sundaicus with A. vagus, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. bitaeniorhynchus and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus was observed at many places. Adult A. sundaicus were found highly susceptible to DDT and larvae to Temephos (Abate). Cx. quinquefasciatus was resistant to DDT (31% mortality). High parity of A. sundaicus (40.42%) is an indication of the vectorial potential of this species to sustain malaria transmission in these islands.