Distribution, Species Composition and Biting Behaviour of Adult <i>Culex</i> Mosquitoes in Badeggi, Niger State, Nigeria

An understanding of mosquito biting behavior is essential for effectively controlling mosquito populations and designing appropriate  vector control strategies to prevent mosquito-borne diseases in communities. This study examines the distribution, species composition,  and biting behavior of adult Culex mosquitoes in Badeggi, Niger State, Nigeria. A total of 2,848 adult Culex mosquitoes were collected  using baited CDC light traps from January to December 2020, excluding April, May, and June due to COVID-19 movement restrictions. CDC  LT was assembled 1.5 metres above the floor level using a support, close to the legs of sleeping bait under a non-treated bed-net  and collection cups were labelled (on hourly basis for collections between 1800 to 0600 hours) prior to collection. Morphological identification of the mosquitoes, based on a standard pictorial key, revealed five species: Culex quinquefasciatus (52%), Culex salinarius  (24%), Culex tritaeniorhynchus (17%), Culex restuans (5%), and Culex nigripalpus (2%). Low biting activity was observed between 6–7 PM  and 5–6 AM, with the peak biting period occurring between 7–9 PM. Biting behavior varied in terms of timing and location between  January-March and November-December, but remained consistent during the months of July-October. Culex quinquefasciatus was  identified as the predominant Culex species in the area. The understanding of mosquito species distribution and their active biting  periods in this rural area is crucial for guiding the implementation of effective vector control measures.