Bioecology of Dominant Malaria Vector, Anopheles superpictus s.l. Grassi (Diptera: Culicidae) In Iran

Abstract

Background: Malaria continues to be a main vector-borne public health problem in Iran. The endemic foci of the dis­ease are mainly located in south-eastern part of the country. Iran is now launching the elimination of malaria. Studies on the bioecology and susceptibility of malaria vectors to insecticide are essential in this phase. Methods: The literature on bio-ecology of Anopheles superpictus s.l. Grassi was reviewed in Iran in more than half a century. Different aspects including, distribution, key identification, larval habitats, flight range, seasonal activities, irritability/susceptibility to insecticides, and anthropophilicity index were identified. Results: The adult females of An. superpictus s.l. were susceptible to all WHO-recommended imagicides except DDT. Distribution, morphology, sibling species, larval habitat, flight range, Irritability tests, sustainability index, blood feed­ing preference and related factors were discussed in details Conclusion: Results of the evaluating will help for decision making of authorities for vector control.

Keywords

• Anopheles superpictus s.l
• Ecology
• Biology
• Insecticide resistance
• Iran