Abstract:
A mosquito larval survey was carried out to find out the availability of mosquito larvae
in three large lentic water bodies namely Kumbalgama, Makavita and Heendaliya in
Matara District. Collected mosquito larvae were identified up to the genus level.
Mosquito larval abundance was 60%, 27%, 13% in Kumbalgama, Makavita and
Heendaliya, respectively. Culex sp. Aedes sp. Anopheles sp. and Mansonia sp were
recorded and they were present in all study sites Culex sp.was the most abundant
species in in Kumbalgama site. Aedes sp. and Anopheles sp. were highly abundant in
Makavita site. Abundance of Mansonia sp was higher in Heendaliya site compared to
the other two sites. Water quality parameters which are essential for the survival of
mosquito larvae were also measured. Higher conductivity, nitrate and phosphate
concentrations and lower pH wre recorded in Kumbalgama throughout the study period
and all these factors were positively correlated (p<0.05) with mosquito larval
abundance. However in Makawita, where Aedes sp. and Anopheles sp. were abundant,
negative correlation ( p< 0.05) was observed between the nitrate concentrations with the
abundance of mosquito larvae. In Heendaliya site where Mansonia sp. were abundant
nitrate concentration showed a positive correlation with mosquito larval abundance (p <
0.01). Findings of present study indicate that studied water bodies may act as suitable
habitats for common mosquitoe genera in Matara District and the abiotic characteristics
may determine the abundance of different genera.
