Anopheles species composition and entomological parameters in malaria endemic localities of North West Colombia

Abstract Environmental variations associated with alterations derived from human activities affect mosquito abundance and composition. The objective of this study was to evaluate species abundance, composition, biting behavior and human biting rates for Anopheles specimens collected in localities of an important malaria endemic region in NW Colombia. A total of 2041 specimens belonging to nine species were collected in six malaria endemic localities of the Bajo Cauca region . Anopheles braziliensis was the most abundant species ( n = 850, 41.7%) and exhibited the highest human biting rate (64.8 b.p.n), followed by the primary vectors Anopheles nuneztovari ( n = 614, 30%) and Anopheles darlingi ( n = 368, 18%). Biting activity of the main malaria vectors An. nuneztovari and An. darlingi and the opportunistic species An. braziliensis suggests high biting exposure for humans, mainly from 19:00 h to 23:00 h, and therefore, increased malaria risk at these hours. Regarding mosquito species, Puerto Astilla locality in Nechi municipality exhibited the highest α diversity, but in general, diversity in all localities was low. This information provides the bases for the implementation of targeted and effective vector control interventions directed to reduce human vector-contact.