Resting and biting habits of Anopheles sundaicus in Car Nicobar Island

Resting and biting habits of An. sundaicus were studied in Car Nicobar Island. Results of resting behaviour revealed that although substantial numbers of An. sundaicus rest outdoor, still the species prefer to rest indoors, and much less in human dwellings. High parity rate (73.38%) in An. sundaicus and close contact with man were the factors responsible for high transmission in Car Nicobar. An. sundaicus population in Car Nicobar is susceptible to DDT. Indoor man-biting of An. sundaicus was significantly higher than outdoors and the species showed bimodal biting activity with first peak between 2130 to 2230 hrs and second between 0130 to 0230 hrs. An. sundaicus preferred to feed on people's legs and hands. Due to complex behaviour of An. sundaicus, an integrated approach comprising (i) chemical, (ii) bioenvironmental control, and (iii) personal protection methods was suggested to interrupt malaria transmission in Car Nicobar Island.