University of Kinshasa, Tropical Medicine Department, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Kinshasa School Public Health, Laboratory of Bio-ecology and Vector Control, Department of Health-Environment, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kinshasa School Public Health, Laboratory of Bio-ecology and Vector Control, Department of Health-Environment, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, University of Bandundu, Faculty of Medicine, Bandundu Ville, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kinshasa School Public Health, Laboratory of Bio-ecology and Vector Control, Department of Health-Environment, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kinshasa School Public Health, Laboratory of Bio-ecology and Vector Control, Department of Health-Environment, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Laboratory of Bioecology and Vector Control, Department of Environmental Health, Kinshasa School of Public Health, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kinshasa School Public Health, Laboratory of Bio-ecology and Vector Control, Department of Health-Environment, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kinshasa School Public Health, Laboratory of Bio-ecology and Vector Control, Department of Health-Environment, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Kinshasa School Public Health, Laboratory of Bio-ecology and Vector Control, Department of Health-Environment, Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo
Understanding the distribution of Anopheles species is essential for planning and implementing malaria control programmes. This study assessed the composition and distribution of cryptic species of the main malaria vector, the Anopheles gambiae complex, in different districts of Kinshasa. Anopheles were sampled using CDC light traps in the four Kinshasa districts between July 2021 and June 2022, and then morphologically identified. Equal proportions of Anopheles gambiae s.l. per site were subjected to polymerase chain reaction to identify the cryptic species of the Anopheles gambiae complex. Anopheles gambiae complex specimens were identified throughout Kinshasa. The average density significantly differed inside and outside households. Two species of this complex circulate in Kinshasa: Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles coluzzii. In all the study sites, Anopheles gambiae was the most widespread species. Our results provide an important basis for future studies on the ecology and dynamics of cryptic species of the Anopheles gambiae complex in Kinshasa.