Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine  2014;4(Suppl 1):S222-7

doi:10.12980/APJTB.4.2014C941

Revised morphological identification key to the larval anopheline (Diptera: Culicidae) of Sri Lanka.

Nayana GUNATHILAKA 1 ; Thilan FERNANDO 1 ; Menaka HAPUGODA 1 ; Wimaladharma ABEYEWICKREME 2 ; Rajitha WICKREMASINGHE 3

Affiliations

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Keywords

Anopheline; Control; Immature; Keys; Mosquitoes

Country

China

Language

English

Abstract

OBJECTIVETo revise morphological identification keys to the anophelines in Sri Lanka.

METHODSamples were collected from selected entomological sites in different districts in the country. Stage III and IV larvae were identified under a light microscope with an objective (×10) using standard larval keys developed for Sri Lankan anophelines. Key larval characters were recorded for each species based on original observations and previous usage in literature.

RESULTSThis manuscript describes an illustrated key for the identification of 22 of 23 mosquitoes which are currently recognized as local anopheline species in Sri Lanka, as a guide to workers engaged in malaria surveillance and control in the country.

CONCLUSIONSRevised morphological keys to the larval of these species may be helpful in easy and accurate identification at the field level.