Mosquito species composition in two urban neighbourhoods of Lagos, Southwest Nigeria, based on larval surveys.

Mosquito larval surveys were conducted in two urban neigbourhoods, Surulere and Apapa, in Lagos State, Nigeria from July to October 2021. The aim was to investigate mosquito species composition and habitats utilized by these species with the overall goal of generating useful information to guide mosquito surveillance and control activities targeting vector species. Immature mosquitoes (larva and pupa) found were collected using dipping technique and emerged adults were identified using standard morphological keys. Mosquito abundance, diversity and habitat types were also assessed. A total of 2,696 immature mosquitoes were collected from both areas with 90.3% (2,434) collected from Surulere. Three species of mosquitoes; Aedes aegypti, Culex pipiens complex and Anopheles gambiae complex were found in both Surulere and Apapa. One species identified as Lutzia tigripes was found only in Apapa. In Surulere, Cx. pipiens complex had significantly (p < 0.05) the highest relative abundance (59.8%) while An. gambiae complex had the lowest (2.2%). In Apapa, Ae. aegypti had the highest abundance (68.7%) while Lt. tigripes had the lowest (6.9%) but there was no significant difference. Habitat types encountered in both areas included gutters (roadside ditches), ground pools and man-made containers especially used tyres. Larval densities varied significantly (p < 0.05) among species, and habitat types in Surulere but not in Apapa. The observed variations in species composition and abundance between the two urban neigbourhoods suggest different risk for specific mosquito-borne diseases. Integrated vector management tactics such as source reduction through larval habitat elimination and larviciding are recommended. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]