Tree-hole breeding mosquitoes in Sennar state, eastern Sudan

Aedes-borne diseases represent an increasing public health problem in Sudan. There is a lack of knowledge of Aedes mosquitoes that breed in natural habitats, especially tree-holes. The current study describes Aedes mosquitoes' fauna in tree-holes of different tree species in Sennar state.

Larval surveys were carried out to determine the presence and abundance of tree-hole mosquitoes in three study sites during the rainy season.

A total of 253 trees with holes containing water were inspected and 99 (39.10%) trees were positive for Aedes mosquito larvae. Eight Aedes mosquito species were identified from 798 collected larval specimens: Aedes luteocephalus (45.5%), Aedes furcifer (17.2%), Aedes unilineatus (15.4%), Aedes metallicus (9.6%), Aedes aegypti formosus (6.6%), Aedes africanus (4.5%), Aedes taylori (0.6%) and Aedes adersi (0.5%). Tree-holes of Psidium guajava and Mangifera indica contained higher numbers of Aedes species in terms of diversity and density compared with other types of trees.

The predominance of sylvatic Aedes species in these areas raises concerns as many are known or potential vectors of arboviruses. These species could sustain the transmission of arboviruses within and around natural reserves and should be taken into consideration as part of the control framework for arboviral infections.