1.Biting behaviour of medically important mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae) in Peninsular Malaysia
Chen, C.D. ; Wan-Norafikah, O. ; Nurin-Zulkifli, I.M. ; Faezah, K. ; Izzul, A.A. ; Abdullah, A.G. ; Lau, K.W. ; Norma-Rashid, Y. ; Sofian-Azirun, M.
Tropical Biomedicine 2017;34(1):199-211
Human-landing catch (HLC) technique was undertaken in nine selected study sites
within Peninsular Malaysia to determine the biting cycle of Aedes, Armigeres, Culex, and
Mansonia mosquitoes. HLC was conducted 24 hours on three different nights in a duration of
one week at each study site. Aedes albopictus were found in all study sites with bimodal
biting cycle, whereas the biting peak of Aedes butleri was recorded between 1600 and 1900
hr. For Armigeres, five study sites demonstrated similar biting peak hour (1900 – 2000 hr) for
Ar. kesseli four study sites showed biting peak at 1800 – 1900 hr for Ar. subalbatus. Culex
quinquefasciatus was collected from all study sites except in Sungai Penchala with its biting
activity beginning from 1900 hr. Both Mansonia annulifera and Mansonia uniformis captured
in two different study sites showed similar biting peaks (1500 – 1600 hr). It is recommended
that vector control activities be carried out at dusk as almost all mosquito species captured
started their biting activities at that time.