Mosquito diversity in Akoko north west local government area, Ondo state

The distribution and diversity of mosquitoes in Akoko North West Local Government Area were studied for November 2021–February 2022. Forty (40) positive breeding sites across the local government area were sampled using standard dipping techniques with a plastic dipper. The habitats sampled include containers, stagnant water, domestic run-off, and gutters. The larvae collected after rearing to adult stage were preserved in a 1.5-ml Eppendorf tube and identified to genera level using a digital microscope and morphological keys. The mosquitoes sampled were identified into five (5) genera, which include Aedes, Anopheles, Culex, Toxorynchytes, and Mansonia. Anopheles species were found to be most abundant in the study area, with a total abundance of 237 species, followed by Aedesspecies (160), Mansonia species (85), Culex species (46), and Toxorynchytes (24). The study also revealed that Okeagbe is the village with the highest diversity of mosquitoes in the study area. A combination of factors such as temperature, pH, dissolved oxygen, total dissolved solids, conductivity, and anthropogenic-related factors contributed to the increasing abundance of mosquitoes in the study area. The high occurrence of Anopheles and Aedes is suggestive of the prevalence of vector-borne diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, and dengue fever in the study area. Therefore, intensive vector control programs and public enlightenment, especially on human activities that encourage mosquito breeding, are recommended.