ANOPHELES CULICIFACIES IN BALUCHISTAN, IRAN

Anopheles culicifacies (probably species A) is the main vector of mala ria in Baluchistan, southeastern Iran. Adult mosquitoes were collected during 1990-92 by five methods of sampling: knock-down pyrethrum spac e-spray indoors, human and animal bait (18.00-05.00 hours), pit shelte rs and CDC light traps, yielding 62%, 3%, 6%, 4% and 25% of specimens, respectively. Whereas spray-catches comprised c. 70% gravid and semi- gravid females, light trap catches were mostly (c. 60%) unfed females, while females from pit shelters comprised all abdominal stages more e qually (13-36%). An.culicifacies populations peaked in April-May and r ose again during August-November. Densities of indoor-resting mosquito es were consistently greater in an unsprayed village than in villages subjected to residual house-spraying with propoxur, malathion or pirim iphos-methyl. Monthly malaria incidence generally followed fluctuation s of An.culicifacies density, usually with a peak in May-June.