~ 57 ~ International Journal of Mosquito Research 2020; 7(2): 57-60 ISSN: 2348-5906 CODEN: IJMRK2 IJMR 2020; 7(2): 57-60 www.dipterajournal.com © 2020 IJMR Received: 27-01-2020 Accepted: 28-02-2020 Anju Viswan K Entomology Consultant, DVC Unit, Kozhikode, Kerala, India T Dileep Kumar Filaria Consultant, ROHFW, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India V Meenakshi Additional Director (PH), SPO VBD, Kerala, Kerala, India PK Srivastava Joint Director and Head Vector Control, Dte. NVBDCP, GoI Delhi, India Corresponding Author: Anju Viswan K Entomology Consultant, DVC Unit, Kozhikode, Kerala, India An observation on breeding habitats of Aedes mosquitoes in Kozhikode district, Kerala Anju Viswan K, T Dileep Kumar, V Meenakshi and PK Srivastava Abstract Aedes mosquitoes, the major vectors of dengue, Chikungunya and Zika are known as container breeders employing both natural and artificial habitats. In the state of Kerala, both Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus are responsible for dengue transmission. The study was undertaken to assess the major breeding sources in different topographical areas of Kozhikode District and also to find out uncommon breeding sources due to change in socioeconomic development. The larval surveys were done in domestic and peridomestic areas randomly in the three topographical regions of Kozhikode District. In the sandy coastal belts, the major sources of breeding were abandoned boats, ice-trays, fish-trays, and tarpaulin sheets used to cover the nets. In the hilly portions of the Western Ghats where the rubber plantation is plenty, the major sources were rubber tapping coconut shells or plastic vessels, dried leaves of trees and barrels used as water containers. In the lateritic midland, the larvae were collected from numerous sources like coconut shells, unused utensils, stone grinders, unused tyres, tarpaulin sheets, dried leaves, plastic covers, plant pots etc. Prevention of creating mosquitogenic potential may be more crucial than vector control though it is an important tool for dengue control. The mind set of community need to be changed through appropriate and effective IEC/BCC activities as proactive measures rather than being reactive. Keywords: Aedes mosquitoes, dengue, chikungunya, breeding sources 1. Introduction Dengue is a fast emerging mosquito borne disease in the world and spreads throughout tropical and subtropical regions [1] . Aedes mosquitoes have the capacity of trans-ovarian transmission of diseases and they can withstand drought climatic conditions. It breeds mainly in small containers and so usage of chemicals and other methods are insufficient for vector control. The only feasible method is source reduction. So it is necessary to identify the breeding sources regularly and remove it [2] . Rapid expansion of Aedes albopitus is one of the reasons of dengue rise. Its adaptation to lesser known habitats become a major obstacle in the in the containment of the species and in turn in the control of dengue cases [3] . The present study aims to identify the different breeding sources of Aedes mosquitoes in different topographical areas of Kozhikode District. The district is situated on the South-West coast of India in the state of Kerala. Topographically, the district has three distinct regions – the sandy coastal belt, the rocky highlands formed by the hilly portions of the Western Ghats and the lateritic midland, with an average rainfall of 3266 mm and temperature ranging from 14 to 39 °C. Most parts of the district are covered with coconut plantations. The eastern hilly parts of Western Ghats region are covered with rubber, areca and cocoa plantations. The district is divided into 4 talukscovering the three regions. Ae. aegypti and Ae. albopictus are known vectors of dengue transmission in the state of Kerala including the study district. The Ae. aegypti is mainly abundant in urban areas whereas Ae. albopictus breeds more in rural areas. The breeding survey for Aedes mosquitoes was undertaken to study the major breeding sites different regions of Kozhikode District. The study also focused to find out uncommon breeding sources and explored its correlation with change in socioeconomic development. The larval surveys were carried out in domestic and peridomestic areas randomly which also included abandoned boats, ice-trays, fish-trays, tarpaulin sheets, rubber tapping coconut shells or plastic vessels, dried leaves of trees, barrels used as water containers, and the usual breeding sites like coconut shells, unused utensils, stone grinders, unused tyres, and plant pots etc.