Cooccurrence of native and invasive malaria vectors in anthropogenic larval habitats in Metahara, Ethiopia: Opportunities for urban malaria control
1
Department of Biology, Arba Minch University, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
2
Malaria and Neglected Tropical Disease Research Division, Armauer Hansen Research Institute, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
3
Tropical and Infectious Diseases Research Center, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
4
University of California, California, United States
5
Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
6
London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, United Kingdom
7
Department of Vector Biology, Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, Liverpool, United Kingdom
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND:
Local data are crucial to understand the threat posed by the invasive Anopheles stephensi alongside native malaria vectors in urban malaria1-4. This study examined key bioecological features of invasive and native malaria vectors in Metahara town, Ethiopia.
METHODS:
Between November 2023 and October 2024, a bioecological assessment was conducted alongside a case–control study on the impact of An. stephensi on urban malaria transmission. All potential larval habitats were mapped, and immature and adult mosquitoes were sampled bimonthly from randomly selected sites. Immatures were collected using standard dippers, while adults were captured with CDC light traps, BG Pro traps, and Prokopack aspirators. Adult Anopheles were identified morphologically, and molecular assays were used for immature species identification, blood meal analysis, and Plasmodium detection.
RESULTS:
Of 767 potential larval habitats, 98.3% (n = 754) were anthropogenic, with 95.2% (n = 730) accessible for oviposition. Over half were water storage containers (37.3%, n = 281) or construction-associated sites (20.8%, n = 157), while abandoned containers, including tyres, comprised 22.3% (n = 168). Among habitats positive for Anopheles immatures (55.3%, n = 417), one-third contained both An. stephensi and Anopheles arabiensis. Anopheles arabiensis showed significant seasonal variation (likelihood ratio, P < 0.01), whereas An. stephensi remained stable (L.R., P = 0.11). Of 2078 adult catches, An. arabiensis dominated (63.7%, n = 1,323), followed by An. pharoensis (26.4%, n = 549). The human blood index was highest in An. arabiensis (21.8%). Plasmodium infection was highest in An. pharoensis (4.2%), followed by An. arabiensis (0.4%), with none in An. stephensi.
CONCLUSIONS:
Most breeding habitats were anthropogenic, supporting both native and invasive vectors. While An. arabiensis showed seasonal variation, An. stephensi remained stable. Integrated vector management targeting anthropogenic habitats and investigation of An. pharoensis’ role in transmission are recommended.
Local data are crucial to understand the threat posed by the invasive Anopheles stephensi alongside native malaria vectors in urban malaria1-4. This study examined key bioecological features of invasive and native malaria vectors in Metahara town, Ethiopia.
METHODS:
Between November 2023 and October 2024, a bioecological assessment was conducted alongside a case–control study on the impact of An. stephensi on urban malaria transmission. All potential larval habitats were mapped, and immature and adult mosquitoes were sampled bimonthly from randomly selected sites. Immatures were collected using standard dippers, while adults were captured with CDC light traps, BG Pro traps, and Prokopack aspirators. Adult Anopheles were identified morphologically, and molecular assays were used for immature species identification, blood meal analysis, and Plasmodium detection.
RESULTS:
Of 767 potential larval habitats, 98.3% (n = 754) were anthropogenic, with 95.2% (n = 730) accessible for oviposition. Over half were water storage containers (37.3%, n = 281) or construction-associated sites (20.8%, n = 157), while abandoned containers, including tyres, comprised 22.3% (n = 168). Among habitats positive for Anopheles immatures (55.3%, n = 417), one-third contained both An. stephensi and Anopheles arabiensis. Anopheles arabiensis showed significant seasonal variation (likelihood ratio, P < 0.01), whereas An. stephensi remained stable (L.R., P = 0.11). Of 2078 adult catches, An. arabiensis dominated (63.7%, n = 1,323), followed by An. pharoensis (26.4%, n = 549). The human blood index was highest in An. arabiensis (21.8%). Plasmodium infection was highest in An. pharoensis (4.2%), followed by An. arabiensis (0.4%), with none in An. stephensi.
CONCLUSIONS:
Most breeding habitats were anthropogenic, supporting both native and invasive vectors. While An. arabiensis showed seasonal variation, An. stephensi remained stable. Integrated vector management targeting anthropogenic habitats and investigation of An. pharoensis’ role in transmission are recommended.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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