Hostname: page-component-78c5997874-m6dg7 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2024-11-10T12:32:13.502Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false
  • English
  • Français

Observations on the Mosquito Fauna of Mombasa

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  10 July 2009

C. Teesdale
C. Teesdale
Affiliation:
Division of Insect-borne Diseases, Nairobi, Kenya.
Get access Rights & Permissions [Opens in a new window]

Summary

Records are given of the species of mosquitos captured at Mombasa in the years 1943–44 and 1949–52. They were caught by four different methods, namely: (1) day-time net catches in the bush, (2) window-trap catches, (3) diurnal (bait) biting catches in the bush and (4) twenty-four hour (bait) biting catches in three different situations. Sixty-six species were taken in the day-time net catches and nine others which did not figure in the net catches were taken in one or other of the remaining three methods.

The habits of the commonest species, as indicated by these catches, are discussed in some detail.

Culex pipiens fatigans Wied. occurred in large numbers in biting catches, net catches and window-trap catches. In 24-hour catches most biting occurred after midnight, but, in the window traps, activity was greatest between 18 and 21 hr.

Aëdes simpsoni (Theo.) was not taken in window traps or houses. Seasonal occurrence, as indicated by larvae in banana axils, net and biting catches in the bush, is discussed. Twenty-four hour catches confirmed earlier findings that this mosquito bites almost solely during daylight.

Aëdes pembaensis (Theo.) occurred throughout the year with little seasonal variation; this is thought to be connected with its breeding in crab-holes. It is often found in fair numbers in houses when these are near the breeding grounds. Window-trap catches show that most activity takes place at night though some also occurs during the day. The biting rhythm as shown by 24-hour catches in houses, bush and on tree platforms is discussed.

Aëdes albicosta (Edw.). Previously this mosquito may have been confused with Aëdes albothorax (Theo.) and Aë. lineatopennis (Ludl.). It can occur at times in great numbers when it may bite viciously both indoors and outside.

Anopheles gambiae Giles and A. funestus Giles were not evident in large numbers. In window traps most activity took place at night although some also occurred during the day. In 24-hour catches, A. gambiae fed mostly just before dawn though biting occurred also from midnight onwards. A. funestus appeared suddenly and in fair numbers in window traps but was absent for much of the year.

Aëdes aegypti (L.), though fairly common, is recorded only in Tables and in one figure as its bionomics have already been discussed elsewhere.

Notes are given on other species, which include Culex duttoni Theo., C. nebulosus Theo., C. tigripes Grp., Aëdes metallicus (Edw.), Aë. albocephalus (Theo.), Eretmapodites subsimplicipes Edw. and E. quinquevittatus Theo.

Type
Research Paper
Information
Bulletin of Entomological Research , Volume 50 , Issue 1 , March 1959 , pp. 191 - 208
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1959

Access options

Get access to the full version of this content by using one of the access options below. (Log in options will check for institutional or personal access. Content may require purchase if you do not have access.)

References

Gillett, J. D. (1951). The habits of the mosquito Aëdes (Stegomyia) simpsoni Theobald in relation to the epidemiology of yellow fever in Uganda.—Ann. trap. Med. Parasit. 45 pp. 110–121.Google Scholar
Goiny, H., van Someren, E. C. C. & Heisch, R. B. (1957). The eggs of Aedes (Skusea) pembaensis Theobald discovered on crabs.—E. Afr. med. J. 34 pp. 1–2.Google Scholar
Haddow, A. J. (1945 a). The mosquitoes of Bwamba County, Uganda. II. Biting activity with special reference to the influence of microclimate.—Bull. ent. Res. 36 pp. 33–73.Google Scholar
Haddow, A. J. (1945 b). The mosquitoes of Bwamba County, Uganda. III. The vertical distribution of mosquitoes in a banana plantation and the biting cycle of Aëdes (Stegomyia) simpsoni, Theo.—Bull. ent. Res. 36 pp. 297–304.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Haddow, A. J. (1954). Studies of the biting-habits of African mosquitos; an appraisal of methods employed, with special reference to the twenty-four-hour catch.—Bull. ent. Res. 45 pp. 199–242.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Lumsden, W. H. R. (1955). Entomological studies, relating to yellow fever epidemiology, at Gede and Taveta, Kenya.—Butt. ent. Res. 46 pp. 149–183.Google Scholar
Teesdale, C. (1941). Pineapple and banana plants as sources of Aëdes mosquitoes.—E. Afr. med. J. 18 pp. 260–267.Google Scholar
Teesdale, C. (1950). An apparent invasion of Aëdes (Banksinella) lineatopennis and Aëdes (B.) albicosta into Mombasa Island.—Proc. R. ent. Soc. Lond. (A) 25 pp. 99–102.Google Scholar
Teesdale, C. (1955). Studies on the bionomics of Aëdes aegypti (L.) in its natural habitats in a coastal region of Kenya.—Bull. ent. Res. 46 pp. 711–742.Google Scholar
Teesdale, C. (1957). The genus Musa Linn, and its rôle in the breeding of Aëdes (Stegomyia) simpsoni (Theo.) on the Kenya coast.—Bull. ent. Res. 48 pp. 251–260.Google Scholar
van Someren, E. C. C., Heisch, R. B. & Furlong, M. (1958). Observations on the behaviour of some mosquitos of the Kenya coast.—Bull. ent. Res. 49 pp. 643–660.Google Scholar
van Someren, E. C. C., Teesdale, C. & Furlong, M. (1955). The mosquitos of the Kenya coast; records of occurrence, behaviour and habitat.—Bull. ent. Res. 46 pp. 463–493.Google Scholar
Wiseman, R. H., Symes, C. B., McMahon, J. C. & Teesdale, C. (1939). Report on a malaria survey of Mombasa.—60 pp. Nairobi, Govt. Printer.Google Scholar