~ 29 ~ International Journal of Mosquito Research 2014; 1 (1): 29-37 ISSN: 2348-5906 CODEN: IJMRK2 IJMR 2014; 1 (1): 29-37 © 2014 IJMR Received: 11-01-2014 Accepted: 01-03-2014 Dr. Raj Kumar Singh National Institute of Malaria Research, Sector-8, Dwarka, New Delhi-77, India. E-mail: singhriku@yahoo.co.in Tel: +91-9911164342 Mr. Gaurav Kumar National Institute of Malaria Research, Sector-8, Dwarka, New Delhi-77, India. E-mail: gauravnimr@gmail.com Tel: +91-9811542216 Dr. Pradeep Kumar Mittal National Institute of Malaria Research, Sector-8, Dwarka, New Delhi-77, India. Email: pk_mittal52@yahoo.co.in Tel: +91-9868964637 Dr. Ramesh Chand Dhiman National Institute of Malaria Research, Sector-8, Dwarka, New Delhi-77, India. E-mail: r.c.dhiman@gmail.com Tel: +91-9871535858 Tel: 011-25307100 Correspondence: Dr. Ramesh Chand Dhiman National Institute of Malaria Research, Sector-8, Dwarka, New Delhi-77, India E-mail: r.c.dhiman@gmail.com Tel: +91-9871535858 Tel: 011-25307100 Bionomics and vector potential of Anopheles subpictus as a malaria vector in India: An overview Raj Kumar Singh, Gaurav Kumar, Pradeep Kumar Mittal, Ramesh Chand Dhiman ABSTRACT Anopheles subpictus has been recognised as an important vector of malaria in Sri Lanka and some other countries like Malaysia and Maldives. It has been found to play an important role in malaria transmission as a secondary vector in certain parts of Odisha and coastal areas of south India. An. subpictus is a widely distributed mosquito species that breeds in a variety of fresh as well as saline water habitats. The species is a complex of four sibling species provisionally designated as: sibling species A, B, C and D, but the role of these sibling species in malaria transmission is not clearly known. As there is limited research work available on this species in India, it was thought prudent to review the bionomics and the role of An. subpictus in malaria transmission in Indian context. Further studies are required on the bionomics of An. subpictus and its role in malaria transmission in other parts of the country under the influence of changing ecological conditions. Keywords: Anopheles subpictus; Distribution; India; Malaria; Species complex; Vector 1. Introduction Malaria is one of the major communicable disease causing high mortality and morbidity among population in India. About one million malaria positive cases with 519 deaths were reported during the year 2012, out of which about half the cases were of Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) [1] . This disease is transmitted by biting of the female anopheline mosquito species. Out of 58 Anopheles species found in India, the six species viz., Anopheles culicifacies, An. stephensi, An. minimus, An. sundaicus, An. fluviatilis and An. dirus are major vectors of malaria and three species viz., An. annularis, An. philipinensis (nivipus) and An. varuna are minor vectors of malaria [2, 3] . Another species viz., An. subpictus has also been incriminated as a malaria vector in India but its role in transmission has not been established in the country. An. subpictus was first described by an Italian scientist Grassi in 1899 [2] . An. subpictus is widely distributed and found in abundance in the Oriental region. It is found to the west of India in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran and to the east in New Guinea and in Marina’s islands. It is also found in Sri Lanka in south and China in north of India. In India, it is found throughout the mainland [2] . An. subpictus has been incriminated as a vector of malaria in Maldives Islands, Celebes, South Java, Portuguese Timor and Malaysia [4] . It is a secondary vector of malaria in Sri Lanka [5] . While in India, the role of An. subpictus as a vector of malaria is obscure. But in view of the ongoing process of climate change; An. subpictus, may also act as a primary vector of malaria [6] . Keeping in view the above facts, this review has been prepared on the basis of work reported in India as there is limited research work available on this species in India. 2. Biology The species An. subpictus is a complex of four sibling species A, B, C and D in India. Egg float, ridge number, larval mesothoracic seta 4-M, pupal seta 7-I and the female palpi have species specific diagnostic value in the An. subpictus complex. Degree of interspecific divergence in these morphological characters differentiates them more than usual for sibling species [7] .