Breeding Habitats of Culex tritaeniorhynchus (Diptera: Culicidae), A Japanese Encephalitis Vector, and Associated Mosquitoes in Mysore, India

Abstract

Japanese encephalitis is endemic in at least 21 countries including India with 30,000 to 50,000 cases annually. In this regard, Culex tritaeniorhynchus species, the major vector of JE in Karnataka State, India was chosen for the current investigation. Information on the species composition of various mosquitoes in an area is helpful to predict epidemics. Two years long study was conducted at Mysore to document the associated culicidae mosquito species in the breeding places of Culex tritaeniorhynchus. The larvae of Cx. tritaeniorhynchus and associated species have been collected from temporary and semi permanent ground water pools. Simultaneously they have also been collected from plain rice field area from a 26 km radius outside Mysore. Third instar larvae were taken for categorization and reared until adult emergence for further confirmation of the species. A total of 19 species belonging to 4 genera (Culex, Aedes, Anopheles and Armigeres) were registered from the two habitats. Four genera with 13 species were found to breed in ground pools as against 3 genera with 14 species in paddy field habitats. Culex bitaeniorhynchus, Cx. nigropunctatus, Cx. barraudi, Cx. hutchinsoni, An. culicifacies and An. stephensi were seen only in paddy field habitat, whereas Cx. quinquefasciatus, Cx. gelidus, Ae. albopictus and An. jamesii were found only in ground pool habitats. Culex tritaeniorhynchus, Cx. vishnui, Cx. seudovishnui, Cx. fuscocephala, Cx. murreli, Ae vitattus, An. vagus, An. barbirostris and Cx. fuscanus were recorded from both the breeding places.