The biting and resting behavior of Anopheles albimanus in northern Haiti

A one-year study of the biting and resting habits of the malaria vector Anopheles albimanus was carried out in four rural villages of northern Haiti. Man-biting rates and nightly biting cycles were determined by the use of all-night man-biting captures inside and outside houses. Seasonal changes in density and behavior were determined by repeating the captures on a bimonthly basis throughout one year. Exophily was demonstrated in these anopheline populations by a comparison of inside-biting with inside-resting densities. These behavior characteristics are discussed in relation to malaria transmission and to the choice of malaria control methods.