~ 19 ~ International Journal of Mosquito Research 2018; 5(2): 19-22 ISSN: 2348-5906 CODEN: IJMRK2 IJMR 2018; 5(2): 19-22 © 2018 IJMR Received: 04-01-2018 Accepted: 05-02-2018 Ankita Thakur Ph. D Scholar, Department of Zoology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India DK Kocher Professor, Department of Zoology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India Correspondence Ankita Thakur Ph. D Scholar, Department of Zoology, Punjab Agricultural University, Ludhiana, Punjab, India Population dynamics of Aedes mosquito larvae from peridomestic water bodies Ankita Thakur and DK Kocher Abstract Monitoring of different types of standing water bodies was carried out from July –November during the year 2015-16 to investigate the presence of dengue vectors in artificial containers in houses and peridomestic water collections. Mosquito larval sampling was done with the help of pipette or dipper depending on the type of container. Larvae were identified morphologically and larval indices were also calculated. A total of 50 sites were monitored (30 desert coolers and 20 earthern pots and some discarded tires). Out of these 45 sites were found to have Aedes larvae showing 90% site positivity during 2015- 2016. Maximum Aedes population count was recorded in the month of August while least population was recorded in the winter season (Oct – Nov). Aedes mosquito breeds in a wide range of artificial containers. To control these mosquitoes, the integration of different methods should be taken into consideration. Keywords: Aedes, containers, monitoring, morphologically, peridomestic 1. Introduction Mosquitoes are responsible for transmission of many medically important pathogens and parasites such as viruses, bacteria, protozoans and nematodes which spread serious diseases. Some of the world’s worst life threatening and debilitating mosquito borne di seases are dengue, yellow fever and chickunguniya transmitted by Aedes. Globally, there were 96 million apparent instances of dengue infections and India alone contributed 34% (22-24 million) of the sicknesses in 2010. Dengue is endemic in all states and union territories (UTs) of India and a total of 99, 913 dengue cases and 220 deaths in 2016 were reported in 35 states and UTs of India [1] . Different standing water bodies like ponds, man-made reservoirs act as breeding grounds of mosquitoes. Aedes species breeds in peridomestic and other small water collections including desert coolers [2] . Aedes species present in abundance are influenced by the female behavior of oviposition, as well as their temporal space distribution, which has predominant dependency on the environment and the local climate in which they occur, with female mosquitoes searching for conditions favorable to survival of progeny [3] . Evaluation of larval mosquito habitats in terms of their species composition and population level is of paramount importance for their control. Therefore, the present study was planned to determine the population count of dengue spreading Aedes mosquito larvae in various temporary water collections under local environmental conditions. 2. Materials and Methods The study was based on the monitoring of tires and artificial water containers from July- November 2015 and 2016. All containers both indoors and outdoors which might harbour mosquito larvae and pupae were inspected to determine whether they were wet or dry and to check the presence or absence of mosquito larvae and pupae. Potential containers were counted and the 3rd stage and 4th stage mosquito larvae and pupae were collected. Mosquito larvae were collected from discarded tires and other artificial containers with a plastic cup, pipette, or classical dipper. Aedes larvae were recognized on the basis of their morphological features by following the standard keys given by [4] . 2.1 Statistical analysis Data was statistically analyzed with the help of SPSS statistical software version 16 by comparing population indices of Aedes larvae recorded on monthly basis during the year 2015