Observations of biting and resting behavior of Anopheles albimanus in Guatemala

Abstract

The biting and resting behaviors of Anopheles albimanus were observed in a rural village of southern Guatemala, with the aim of improving the residual spraying method for malaria control. Seasonal change in the biting density and behavior were studied by fortnightly human bait collection inside and outside houses for 2 and a half years. Biting activity peaked twice a year in June and November. All-night collections revealed that biting usually began just after sunset and was at the maximum during the first 3 hr after sunset. The biting rate was almost equal between inside and outside houses in the early stage of the observations, but after residual applications of insecticides the population demonstrated a tendency of exophagy. The majority of mosquitoes which bit inside a house flew out of the house within a few hours and only a few percent of individuals remained there until the next morning. No avoidance of insecticide residues was noted and the greater part of the insects that rested on the residue of propoxur was killed before exiting. A survey of daytime resting places revealed the majority on the undersurface of the roof of a variety of sheds.