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Arthropods, 2025, 14(4): 208-224
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Article

Species composition, abundance and diversity of mosquitoes (Culicidae: Diptera) larvae in Qua'an-Pan Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria

Michael Pangwa Lapang1, Davou Dung Pam1, Eche Onah Otakpa1, Akwashiki Ombugadu2, Nannim Nanvyat1, Georgina Samuel Mwansat1
1Department of Zoology, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Jos, P.M.B. 2084, Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria
2Department of Zoology, Faculty of Science, Federal University of Lafia, P.M.B. 146, Lafia, Nasarawa State, Nigeria

Received 14 April 2025;Accepted 20 May 2025;Published online 28 May 2025;Published 1 December 2025
IAEES

Abstract
Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) are vectors of emerging arthropod-borne infections of medical and zoonotic importance. They undergo complete metamorphosis and breed in different habitat types. We conducted this study to investigate the composition, abundance and diversity of mosquito species in Qua'an-Pan Local Government Area (LGA), North Central Nigeria. The aquatic mosquito species' immature stages from the selected communities were surveyed between February 2020 and January 2021, from the late dry season through the early rainy season of 2020 and from the late rainy season to the late dry season. A total of 4186 (47.19%) Anopheline and 4685 (52.81%) Culicine larvae were collected. 3518 (47.36%) Anopheline and 3910 (52.64%) Culicine emerged to adult. 13 mosquito species were identified, 6 Anopheles, 4 Culex, 2 Aedes and 1 Mansonia species. There were 26 Anopheles, 73 Culex and 25 Aedes unidentified species. Culex quinquefasciatus (33.21 %) and Anopheles gambiae (22.25%) were the dominant species, whereas Aedes hirsitus (0.16 %) was the least abundant. There was a significant difference in Anopheles species abundance (P<0.05) while Culex species abundance did not differ significantly (P>0.05). The study reveals that the breeding index (BI) of mosquito species was 62.77% while the diversity level of emerged mosquito species was approximately 2. The study shows a rich species composition and diversity of mosquitoes and presents a high risk of mosquito-borne diseases transmission to the inhabitants of Qua'an-pan LGA. This public threat may be attributed to anthropogenic alteration of the ecosystem.

Keywords mosquito species composition;abundance;diversity;habitat types.


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