Distribution of Anopheleline mosquitoes in Bandar Lengeh County, Hormozgan provice

Malaria remains the most important vector-borne disease globally. It is one the most important mosquito-borne disease in south and southeast of Iran, especially in Hormozgan Province. Bandar Lengeh County is one of the important malaria endemic areas in south of Iran. Considering the importance of anopheline mosquitoes in malaria transmission and vectors control strategy for prevention and control of disease, this study was conducted to determine the distribution of anopheleline mosquitoes in Bandar Lengeh County.
This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014. The anopheline larvae were collected using the standard dipping method. Specimens were preserved in test-tubes containing lacto-phenol and transferred to the laboratory. In the laboratory, each of third and fourth instar anopheline larvae were individually mounted on a microscope slide and identified to species by morphological criteria and using identification keys.
In this study, in total 710 anopheline mosquitoes were collected and identified. They comprised of six species: Anopheles stephensi (37.18%), An. dthali (32.53, An. superpictus (21.97%), An. turkhudi (6.62%) and, An. apoci (1.7%). In this study An. stephensi as the main malaria vector was the most abundant species and collected from all of the study areas.
This study showed three anopheline species which are known to be malaria vectors in Iran collected from Bandar Lengeh County. Integrated vector control aimed at reducing the population of this species can have a great impact on successful malaria elimination program in this county.