Biology of malaria vectors in central Gujarat

Biology of malaria vectors were studied in Kheda district of central Gujarat in order to understand the vector behaviour in the wake of ecological changes. Anopheles culicifacies and An. stephensi were mainly endophilic whereas An. fluviatilis exhibited marked exophily. All the three vectors were predominantly zoophilic. Peak biting activity period of An. culicifacies varied with season though biting continued in varying magnitudes throughout the night. An. stephensi and An. fluviatilis were arhythmic in their biting activity. Survival of all the three vectors was maximum during cold season owing to longer gonotrophic cycle which also yielded higher estimates for expected infective life. Instability of malaria in this area was probably due to low estimates of expected infective life for the three vectors. A wide range of breeding habitat preferences by An. culicifacies was observed whereas An. fluviatilis and An. stephensi showed restricted distribution.