The Fauna and Ecology of Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Western Iran

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to obtain new data which would be valuable to develop programs for future planning of mosquito controls in in western Iran. METHODS: Larvae and adult collections were carried out from different habitats using standard dipping and animal baited trap methods during May, June and July 2012 in two provinces (Kurdistan and Kermanshah) in the west of Iran. Characteristics of breeding places were studied based on the habitat type (River edge, Ground pool), water conditions (clear or turbid, stagnant or running), vegetation (With or without vegetation), water temperature, sunlight exposure (full or partial sunlight) and so on. RESULTS: Overall, 4081 third- and fourth-instars larvae and 2013 Adult were collected. Five genera and eleven species of the family Culicidae were identified. Mosquitoes collected in larval and adult stages including, Anopheles maculipennis s.l. (4.1%, 4.42%), An. superpictus (1.35%,1.39%), An. turkhudi (1.75%,1.68%), Aedes vexans (2.5%, 8.78%), Culex hortensis (1.59%, 1.04%), Cx. mimeticus (5%, 2.38%), Cx. pipiens (16.5%, 8.15%), Cx. theileri (10%, 46.4%), Culiseta longiareolata (24%, 4.27%), and Cs. subochrea (24%, 4.27%) and Ochlerotatus caspius s.l. (9.1%, 21.46%). Culiseta longiareolata and Cs. subochrea found predominant species in larval collection, whereas Culex theileri was dominant in Adult collection. Anopheles turkhudi is reported for the first time in Kermanshah Province. CONCLUSION: Due to the geographical location of the two provinces, extensively studies with emphasis on mosquito ecology, to having comprehensive and up to date information is essential.