Species distribution, abundance and diversity of mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in District Jhelum (Punjab, Pakistan).

Abstract

Mosquitoes the deadliest animals on the earth, transmit lethal diseases in humans as well as animals. Spatial distribution of mosquitoes provides clues for their precise and accurate control. In this study, which was conducted in 2014-16, different habitats including, graveyards, scrapyards, forest areas, streams, crops, residential areas, and animal sheds were specified in Jhelum district. Surveys for the collection of mosquitoes were made and a total of 365 specimens were collected. These specimens were identified as Culex (9), Anopheles (6), Lutzia (2), Aedes (2), and Armigeres (2) and deposited in the Biosystematics Laboratory of Pir Mehr Ali Shah, Arid Agriculture University Rawalpindi. Quantitative habitat webs and diversity indices show that scrapyard, animal sheds, and residential areas were the most abundant habitats respectively, while areas near stream were found to be the least abundant habitats. These microhabitats, which are the most abundant ones act as hotspots in case of mosquito-borne epidemic, which should be targeted to control epidemic.