Ms Jennifer Oppong1

1Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, KUMASI, Ghana

Biography:

With an MPhil degree in entomology from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, my expertise lies in Vector Biology, Mosquito Ecology, Integrated Pest Management, Insecticide Resistance, Neglected Tropical Parasitic Diseases (NTPD), and Biological Conservation. My passion for entomology is fueled by a deep curiosity about the intricate interplay between insects and their environments. Through extensive research and fieldwork, I strive to unravel the complexities of insect behavior and their impact on public health and ecosystems. I aim to develop sustainable strategies for pest control, disease prevention, and biodiversity preservation. By merging academic rigor with practical applications, I am dedicated to meaningful contributions to scientific knowledge and societal well-being.

Abstract:

Mosquito community dynamics is affected by several factors including land use types, physicochemical parameters and heavy metal content of breeding sites. Although critical for effective vector control and disease prevention, information about the effect of anthropized landscapes and concomitant environmental parameters on mosquito community structure is limited. This study assessed the mosquito community structure in two anthropogenically modified landscapes (auto-mechanic industrial and residential) in Ghana and the factors influencing them. Mosquito larvae sampled from the study area were enumerated and reared to the adult stage. Physico-chemical characteristics and heavy metal concentrations of water samples from the breeding sites were also determined. Nonmetric multidimensional scaling (NMDS) ordinations, permutational multivariate analysis of variance (PERMANOVA) and redundancy analysis (RDA) were conducted to determine the pattern and variability of species composition and environmental factors that influence mosquito species distribution. Six mosquito species (Anopheles gambiae sensu lato, Anopheles funestus, Aedes aegypti, Culex quinquefas¬ciatus, Culex decens and Mansonia sp.) were sampled from the residential area, while the same species except An. funestus and Mansonia sp. were found in the industrial area. The industrial area supported significantly higher mosquito numbers. Salinity, pH, Cu, Fe, Zn, Pb, electrical conductivity, Total Dissolved Solids, turbidity, and temperature of the breeding water related positively with Cx. quinquefaciatus, Cx decens and Mansonia sp. and negatively with Ae. aegypti, An. funestus and An. gambiae s. l. The study revealed the importance of landscape modification and environmental factors on mosquito community structure and the need to employ strategies aimed at eliminating man-made mosquito breeding sites.