Bionomy of Anopheles funestus and Anopheles gambiae, in two areas of high Long-lasting insecticidal Nets coverage in Côte d'Ivoire

Abstract The biodynamics of the main malaria vectors was studied in rural areas of Côte d'Ivoire, after Long-Lasting Insecticidal Nets (LLINs) national coverage. Adult mosquitoes sample by Human Landing Catches (HLC) and Pyrethrum Spray Catches (PSC) have been identified morphologically and by molecular biology. Entomological parameters of malaria biology and transmission were calculated for each species. An. coluzzii, An. gambiae s.s. and An. funestus were the vector species identified in Toumbokro while An. coluzzii, An. funestus and An. nili were identified in Kassiapleu. These vectors feed preferentially on humans in the two villages. In Toumbokro An. gambiae s.l. is exophagic while An. funestus is endophagic. In this village, The annual entomological inoculation rate (EIR) average was high and estimated at 241 infected bites per person per year (ib/p/y) (80.81 ib/p/y for An. gambiae s.l. and 147.68 ib/p/y for An. funestus). An. funestus has become the principal vector and assured its own almost 2/3 of this transmitted. In Kassiapleu, this EIR was also high and estimated at 306.6 ib/p/y (332.15 ib/p/y and 16.5 ib/p/y respectively of An. gambiae s.l. and An. funestus). An. gambiae s.l. is endophagic and has remained the main vector of malaria. This work shows that malaria transmission remains high and is assured by two main vectors (An. funestus and An. gambiae) in rural areas Côte d’Ivoire. These vectors bite both inside and outside the house. Thus, effective malaria control requires combining indoor residual spraying and outdoor control tools at LLINs currently used against the vectors inside the home.