Anopheline fauna and incriminatory malaria vectors in malaria endemic areas on Lombok Island, Indonesia

Abstract

A systematic mosquito collection was carried out for 3 years from November 2001 to September 2004 in western Lombok Island, Indonesia to clarify Anopheles fauna, and to confirm vector species in malaria endemic areas. Adult mosquitoes were collected at 14 sites in the study area by using double-walled mesh nets with human or cow bait. A total of 11 species were encountered. Anopheles vagus was the most predominant. The second most abundant species differed among the sub-study areas; An. sundaicus was abundant in the coastal plain area, and An. balabacensis in the mountainous area. Anopheles balabacensis showed high anthropophily and exophagy and An. sundaicus moderate anthropophily and exophagy. Malaria parasite detection from the collected mosquitoes was also carried out through the detection of circumsporozoite protein by the VecTestTM. Fourteen and 4 samples, which were positive for Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax antigen respectively, were found from An. subpictus, An. sundaicus and An. balabacensis. We conclude that malaria in the coastal plain area is transmitted by An. sundaicus and An. subpictus, whereas An. balabacensis is the primary vector in the mountainous area of Lombok Island.