Ecology of Mosquito Larvae in Varied Ecosystems near Ratchamongkol Beach, Trang

Abstract (EN)

The diversity and quantity of mosquito larvae in four distinct areas near Ratchamongkol Beach, Trang, Thailand as a function of environmental factors was studied. The four selected areas were beach forest, swamp forest, mangrove forest, and forest near the residential area. The study aimed to examine the relationship between water quality in the breeding sites and the types and quantities of mosquito larvae present. Ovitraps, designed to attract mosquitoes to lay eggs, were installed at each site, with 20 traps per site. Mosquito larvae and water quality data, including measurements of water surface temperature, water temperature, pH, and electrical conductivity, were collected on a weekly basis for seven weeks. The study identified two types of mosquito larvae, namely Aedes albopictus and Culex sitiens, with the highest quantity of Aedes albopictus larvae found in the residential forest area and the highest quantity of Culex sitiens larvae found in the mangrove forest area. Water quality analysis revealed no significant differences in average water temperature, surface temperature, pH, and electrical conductivity among the four areas and between ovitraps with and without mosquito larvae, except for the mangrove forest area, where there were differences in electrical conductivity between ovitraps with and without mosquito larvae.