Abstract:
Malaria vector surveillance provides important data to inform the effective planning of
vector control interventions at a local level. The aim of this study was to determine the species
diversity and abundance, biting activity, and Plasmodium infectivity of Anopheles mosquitoes from a
rural village in southern Mozambique. Human landing catches were performed monthly between
December 2020 and August 2021. All collected Anopheles were identified to the species level and
tested for the presence of malaria parasites. Eight Anopheles species were identified among the 1802
collected anophelines. Anopheles gambiae sensu lato (s.l.) were the most abundant (51.9%) and were
represented by Anopheles quadriannulatus and Anopheles arabiensis. Anopheles funestus s.l. represented
4.5%. The biting activity of An. arabiensis was more pronounced early in the evening and outdoors,
whereas that of An. funestus sensu stricto (s.s.) was more intense late in the night, with no significant
differences in location. One An. funestus s.s. and one An. arabiensis, both collected outdoors, were
infected with Plasmodium falciparum. The overall entomologic inoculation rate was estimated at
0.015 infective bites per person per night. The significant outdoor and early evening biting activity
of An. arabiensis and An. funestus found in this village may negatively impact the effectiveness of
current vector control interventions. Additional vector control tools that can target these mosquitoes
are needed.
