Identification Key WHO
Identification Key WHO
Identification Key WHO
2020
9 789290 227588
Pictorial identification key
of important disease vectors in
the WHO South-East Asia Region
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
ISBN: 978-92-9022-758-8
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Contents
1. Foreword........................................................................................................v
2. Acknowledgements....................................................................................... vii
3. Introduction..................................................................................................ix
7. Bibliography................................................................................................ 78
8. Glossary....................................................................................................... 79
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region iii
Foreword
Member States and partners must continue to aggressively respond. To help do that,
this pictorial key will increase knowledge of mosquito vector fauna, its bionomics and proper
identification to enhance the epidemiologic understanding of VBDs. It is the first pictorial key of
its kind and provides a user-friendly guide for public health workers, school teachers, students,
researchers and other interested groups. The illustrations and terms used throughout are
simplified to facilitate the identification process. Rather than portray every taxonomic character,
the guide deals only with characters that are directly relevant to identifying mosquitoes in the
Region.
I urge all stakeholders to make the most of this tool. In recent years the Region has more
than halved the incidence of malaria and kala-azar, demonstrating what focus and determination
can achieve. WHO will continue to support Member States as together we continue the battle
against VBDs for the health of all people everywhere.
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region v
Acknowledgements
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors of WHO South-East Asia is produced
by the World Health Organization, Regional Office for South-East Asia, Department of
Communicable Diseases (CDS), Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs).
The help and guidance given to produce this document by Dr Tjandra Yoga Aditama,
Ag. Director, Department of Communicable Diseases, Dr Lin Aung, Coordinator (CDS-
Capacity, Policy & Advocacy), and Dr Zaw Lin, Technical Officer, NTD, World Health
Organization, Regional Office for South-East Asia, is highly acknowledged.
Dr Aruna Srivastava, Mr Sanjeev Gupta, Dr Kumar Vikram and Miss Poonam of the
National Institute of Malaria Research, New Delhi, provided useful information and help.
Mrs Vinita Sharma is acknowledged for her help in preparing the computer drawings. The
authors are also thankful to the NTD unit and the Editing & Design unit, World Health
Organization, Regional Office for South-East Asia, for their cooperation and help.
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region vii
Introduction
Vector-borne diseases (VBDs) are widespread in the WHO South-East Asia Region. Most
Member States report the transmission of multiple vector-borne diseases, and only one
Member State (DPR Korea) reports transmission of only a single vector-borne disease.
Mosquitoes are most important among vectors as they transmit six major diseases, namely
malaria, filariasis, Japanese encephalitis, dengue, chikungunya and Zika virus. Mosquitoes
are characterized by a slender elongated body covered with scales and bearing mouth parts
of the piercing and sucking type. They belong to the phylum Arthropoda, class Insecta,
subclass Pterygota, division Endopterygota, order Diptera, suborder Nematocera, super
family Culicoidea, family Culicidae, and the sub families Culicinae, Anophelinae and
Toxorhynchitinae.
The key presents maps showing the distribution of vectors of vector-borne diseases in
the WHO SEA Region followed by a list of vectors, a note on how to use the key, and the
stages of vector and body parts that are used in their identification. An important feature
of the key is that it not only covers morphological identification of vectors of VBDs but also
identification of all mosquito species of the associated group, such as maculatus group, dirus
group, etc. It is noteworthy to mention that various keys are available country-wise but this
is the first key that covers all vectors of vector-borne diseases in the Region. The key also
elucidates the bio-ecology of each species, i.e. breeding and resting sites.
All drawings depicted in the key have been designed using Coreldraw 13 software. The
old names of a few species such as An. sundaicus (An. ludlowae, An. epiroticus), An. minimus
(An. flavirostris) and An. umbrosus (An. letifer) have been used in the key.
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region ix
List of vectors and their distribution
A review of literature on vectors of vector-borne diseases revealed that there are 74 species
of mosquitoes and two species of Phlebotomus responsible for the vector-borne diseases
of malaria, dengue, chikungunya, Zika virus disease, Japanese encephalitis, filariasis and
leishmaniasis, in the WHO South-East Asia Region. The vectors transmitting these vector-
borne diseases are listed below and the distribution of these vectors according to disease in
the Region are also illustrated through maps. From the list of vectors and their distribution
it is revealed that malaria is transmitted by 58 species of Anopheles mosquito; filariasis by
5 species of Culex, 3 species of Aedes, 4 species of Mansonia and 8 species of Anopheles
mosquitoes; Japanese encephalitis by 9 species of Culex; dengue, chikungunya and Zika by
2 species of Aedes mosquito; and leishmaniasis by 2 species of Phlebotomus.
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region xi
52. An. tessellatus Theobald, 1901 Aedes
53. An. theobaldi Giles, 1901 68. Ae. aegypti (Linnaeus in Hasselquist,
54. An. umbrosus (Theobald), 1903 1762)
55. An. vagus Döenitz, 1902 69. Ae. albopictus (Skuse, 1894)
56. An. varuna Iyengar, 1924 70. Ae. niveus Ludlow, 1903
57. An. willmori James, 1903 71. Ae. vittatus Bigot, 1861
58. An. yatsushiroensis Miyazaki, 1951
Mansonia
Culex 72. Ma. annulifera Theobald, 1901
59. Cx. bitaeniorhynchus Giles, 1901 73. Ma. indiana Edwards, 1930
60. Cx. fuscocephala Theobald, 1907 74. Ma. uniformis Theobald, 1901
61. Cx. gelidus Theobald, 1901
62. Cx. perexiguus Theobald, 1903 Phlebotomus
63. Cx. pseudovishnui Theobald, 1901 75. P. argentipes Annandale & Brunetti,
64. Cx. quinquefasciatus Say, 1823 1908
65. Cx. tritaeniorhynchus Giles, 1901 76. P. papatasi Scopoli, 1786
66. Cx. vishnui Theobald, 1901
67. Cx. whitmorei (Giles, 1904)
xii Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Distribution of vectors of VBDs in the WHO South-East Asia Region
DPR Korea
Vectors of malaria in South-East Asia
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
1
DPR Korea
Ae. vittatus
Ae. vittatus
Vectors of dengue, chinkungunya and zika in South-East Asia
2 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
b
Vectors of Japanese encephalitis in South-East Asia
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 3
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
a
Vectors of filarasis in South-East Asia
4 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Vectors of leishmaniasis in South-East Asia
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 5
How to use key for identification of
vectors
This Pictorial Identification Key of important vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
identifies 76 species belonging to the genera Anopheles, Aedes, Culex and Mansonia of
mosquitoes and genus Phlebotomus of sandflies. The pattern of identification adopted by
this pictorial key differs from the formal couplet method and offers more clear and precise
identification. In using this Key for identification, the page numbers indicated at various
places should be followed for morphological characters and drawings.
The first character of an insect to be checked under the microscope or hand-lens is the
mouthparts. In the case of the mosquito the proboscis is long and needle-shaped whereas in
the case of the Phlebotomus (sandfly) it is reduced. The other morphological characteristic is
that the mosquito is bigger than the sandfly in size and the wings of sandflies are always erect.
For further identification of genera of mosquitoes, the length of the palpi is taken into
account. In case of genus Anopheles, the size of the palpi in males and females is equal to
the proboscis but in males palpi are club-shaped. In the case of the genera Culex, Aedes and
Mansonia the size of the palpi is one fourth to half of the proboscis in the female whereas
in males it is longer than the proboscis. In all male mosquitoes the antenna is plumose in
appearance. Flow charts and diagrams under each genus have been provided for further
identification up to species level.
Seventy-four vector species of mosquitoes are divided into four genera, namely
Anopheles, Aedes, Culex and Mansonia, and their species based on morphological characters
of mouth parts, wings, legs and abdomen. For sandflies, characteristics of terminalia, pharynx
and spermatheca are mainly used to identify species.
This pictorial key provides the vector distribution, morphological characters and
brief biology (breeding habits and adult bionomics) of each vector prevalent in the WHO
SEA Region. It also contains a bibliography of literature consulted and a glossary of related
taxonomic terms.
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 7
8
Put the insect under the dissecting microscope/hand-lens to identify the insect up to genus level as given below:
Broader Shorter
Mansonia Aedes/Culex
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Go to page 60 Go to page 60
See abdomen See abdomen
Stages of the insect vector
Anopheles mosquito
Aedes mosquito
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 9
Culex mosquito
Mansonia mosquito
10 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Phlebotomus (sandfly)
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 11
Generalized diagram of a female adult
Anopheles mosquito
Fore leg
Labium Labellum
Maxillary palpus
Head Antenna
Proboscis
Eye
Occiput
Vertex
Thorax Scutum
Scutellum Wing
Heltere
Meso
Postnotum
Abdomen
Femur
Mid leg
Tibia
1 Cercus
2 Tarsomere
Tarsus 3
4
5
Hind leg
12 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Body parts of Anopheles mosquito
LABIUM LABELLUM
PROBOSCIS
APICAL PALE BAND
SUB APICAL PALE BAND
MAXILLARY PALPUS
HEAD
BASAL DARK BAND
ANTENNA
CLYPEUS
TORUS
EYE
VERTEX
OCCIPUT
WINGS
BASAL DARK
COSTA
REMIGIUM SUBCOSTA
RADIOMEDICAL CROSS VEIN
BASE OF WING
1 APEX OF WING
HUMERAL 2 2.1
4 3 2.2
ANTERIOR
ALULA 6 5 FORKED
CELL POSTERIOR
5. 4.1
5.2 1
MEDIOCUBITAL
4.2
CROSS VEIN FORKED CELL
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 13
Body parts of Anopheles mosquito
WINGS
h C SC
R R1
REMIGIUM RS R2 +3 R2
UPPER CALYPTER
M
R4+5 R3
ALULA
Cu1 M1
CuA M2
Cu2
FRINGE
R1- radius (1st longitudinal vein); Rs - 2nd longitudinal vein; R2 - upper or anterior branch of 2nd longitudinal; R3 - lower or posterior branch of 2nd
longitudinal vein; R4 + 5 - 3rd longitudinal vein; M - media, 4th longitudinal vein; M1 - upper or anterior branch of 4th longitudinal; M2 - lower or
posterior branch of 4th longitudinal vein; Cu - 5th longitudinal vein; Cu1 - upper or anterior branch of 5th longitudinal vein; Cu2 - lower or posterior
branch of 5th longitudinal vein; CuA (Anal) 6th longitudinal vein; C - costa; SC - Subcosta; h - humeral dark/pale sport.
ABDOMEN
3
DORSUM (TERGITES)
4 VENTER (STERNITES)
8
CERCUS
14 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Body parts of Anopheles mosquito
LEGS
COXA
SPECKING IN LEG
TROCHANTER
FEMUR
TIBIA
TARSAL 3
SEGMENTS
4
5
TARSAL SEGMENTS
5,4 & 3
COMPLETELY WHITE
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 15
Body parts of culicine mosquitoes
Culicines
Genus: Culex, Aedes, Mansonia
Mesothorax
Thorax mesonotum
Scutellum Metathorax
Wing
Proboscis
Palpi
Halter or balancer
HEAD
ABDOMEN
WINGS
LEG
16 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Identification key of
insect vector
Put the insect under the dissecting
microscope/hand-lens and look for the mouth parts
Phlebotomus (Sandfly)
Go to Page 66
Mosquito
See palpi
Palpi equal to proboscis and Palpi 1/4 to half of the proboscis and
slender in shape slender in the shape (female) and
longer than the proboscis (male)
Go to Page 19 Go to Page 59
18 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Anopheles
Focus the wing and count the pale area on
costa and subcosta including vein 1
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 19
Group A (Subgenus Cellia)
An. aconitus, An. annularis, An. baimaii, An. balabacensis, An. cracens, An. culicifacies, An. dirus,
An. dravidicus, An. farauti, An. fluviatilis, An. hackeri, An. introlatus, An. jamesii, An. jeyporiensis, An. karwari,
An. kochi, An. koliensis, An. latens, An. macarthuri, An. maculatus, An. minimus, An. nivipes,
An. notanandai, An. pallidus, An. philippinensis, An. pseudojamesi, An. pseudowillmori, An. pujutensis,
An. punctulatus, An. scanloni, An. splendidus, An. stephensi, An. subpictus, An. sundaicus,
An. sawadwongporn An. tessellatus, An. theobaldi, An. vagus, An. varuna, An. willmorei
Specking in legs
Present Absent
1. An. baimaii 17. An. pseudowillmori 1. An. aconitus
2. An. balabacensis 18. An. pujutensis 2. An. annularis
3.An. cracens 19. An. punctulatus 3. An. culicifacies
4. An. dirus 20. An. scanloni 4. An. fluviatilis
5. An. dravidicus 21. An. splendidus 5. An. jeyporiensis
6. An. farauti 22. An. stephensi 6. An. karwari
7. An. hackeri 23. An. sundaicus 7. An. minimus
8. An. introlatus 24. An. sawadwongporn 8. An. nivipes
9. An. jamesii 25. An. tessellatus 9. An. pallidus
10. An. kochi 26. An. theobaldi 10. An. philippinensis
11. An. koliensis 27. An. willmorei 11. An. subpictus
12. An. latens 12. An. vagus
13. An. maculatus 13. An. varuna
14. An. macarthuri
15. An. notanandai
16. An. pseudojamesi Go to Page 21 Go to Page 36
20 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
An. baimaii, An. balabacensis, An. cracens, An. dirus, An. dravidicus, An. farauti,
An. hackeri, An. introlatus, An. jamesii, An. kochi, An. koliensis, An. latens, An. macarthuri,
An. maculatus, An. notanandai, An. pseudojamesi, An. pseudowillmori,
An. pujutensis, An. punctulatus, An. scanloni , An. splendidus, An. stephensi,
An. sundaicus, An. sawadwongporn, An. tessellatus, An. theobaldi, An. willmorei
4 banded palpi
1. An. baimaii
2. An. balabacensis
3. An. cracens Apical pale band nearly equal
to the pre apical dark band
4. An. dirus
1. An. jamesii
5. An. farauti
2. An. pseudojamesi
6. An. hackeri
3. An. sundaicus
7. An. introlatus
Apical pale band nearly equal
8. An. kochi to the sub apical pale band
Go to Page 31
9. An. koliensis 1. An. dravidicus
10. An. latens 2. An. notanandai
11. An. macarthuri 3. An. maculatus
12. An. pujutensis 4. An. pseudowillmori
13. An. punctulatus 5. An. sawadwongporn
14. An. scanloni 6. An. splendidus
15. An. tessellatus 7. An. stephensi
8. An. theobaldi
Go to Page 22 9. An. willmorei
Go to Page 33
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 21
An. baimaii, An. balabacensis, An. cracens, An. dirus, An. farauti,
An. hackeri, An. introlatus, An. kochi, An. koliensis, An. latens,
An. macarthuri, An. pujutensis, An. punctulatus, An. scanloni, An. tessellatus
Present Absent
1. An. baimaii 1. An. farauti
2. An. balabacensis 2. An. kochi
3. An. cracens 3. An. koliensis
4. An. dirus 4. An. punctulatus
5. An. hackeri 5. An. tessellatus
6. An. introlatus
7. An. latens An. farauti, An. kochi, An. koliensis,
8. An. macarthuri
An. punctulatus , An. tessellatus
9. An. pujutensis
11. An. scanloni Banding on hind leg tarsomeres
22 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
An. farauti, An. kochi, An. koliensis, An. punctulatus
Present Absent
An. kochi 1. An. farauti
2. An. koliensis
3. An. punctulatus
Vein 6 (anal) with three small dark areas and inner costa interrupted
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 23
An. farauti, An. koliensis, An. punctulatus
See proboscis
24 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
An. baimaii, An. balabacensis, An. cracens, An. dirus, An. hackeri,
An. introlatus, An. latens, An. macarthuri, An. pujutensis, An. scanloni
Length of proboscis
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 25
An. hackeri & An. pujutensis
Apical pale band on the palpi
Much smaller than the preapical dark band Nearly equal to the preapical dark band
An. pujutensis
26 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
An. baimaii, An. balabacensis, An. cracens, An. dirus, An. introlatus,
An. latens, An. macarthuri, An. scanloni
Present Absent
1. An. baimaii An. macarthuri
2. An. balabacensis
3. An. cracens Other characters for An. macarthuri
4. An. dirus Hind tibia with narrow apical extension of dark
5. An. introlatus scales on ventral surface
6. An. latens
7. An. scanloni
An. baimaii, An. balabacensis, An. cracens, An. dirus, An. introlatus,
An. latens, An. scanloni
Accessory sector pale (ASP) spot on costa
Present Absent
1. An. introlatus 1. An. baimaii
2. An. latens 2. An. balabacensis
3. An. cracens
4. An. dirus
5. An. scanloni
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 27
An. introlatus, An. latens
An. baimaii, An. balabacensis, An. cracens An. dirus, An. scanloni
Apical pale band of hind tibia with dark linear extension
onto basal portion on ventral surface
Present Absent
An. scanloni 1. An. baimaii,
2. An. balabacensis
3. An. cracens
4. An. dirus
28 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
An. baimaii, , An. balabacensis , An. cracens , An. dirus
A long pale spot on vein 6 at level of presector
dark spot (PSD) of costa
Present
An. baimaii
Absent
1. An. balabacensis
2. An. cracens
3. An. dirus
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 29
An. balabacensis, An. cracens, An. dirus
Broad Reduced
An. cracens 1. An. balabacensis
2. An. dirus
Extended basally but not reaching up to the distal end of humeral dark
mark on the costa
An. balabacensis
30 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Extended basally but reaching up to the distal end of humeral
dark mark on the costa
An. dirus
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 31
An. jamesii and An. pseudojamesi
Area at the bifurcation of wing vein 5 (Cu) and inner costa
32 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
An. dravidicus, An. maculatus, An. notanandai, An. pseudowillmori,
An. sawadwongporni, An. splendidus, An. stephensi, An. theobaldi, An. willmori
Present Absent
1. An. dravidicus An. pseudowillmori
2. An. maculatus
3. An. notanandai,
4. An. sawadwongporni
5. An. willmori
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 33
Other important characters for An. pseudowillmori
34 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
An. maculatus, An. notanandai, An. sawadwongporni
Equal
An. notanandai
Longer
An. sawadwongporni* and An. maculatus*
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 35
An. aconitus, An. annularis, An.culicifacies, An. fluviatilis, An. jeyporiensis,
An. karwari, An. minimus, An. nivipes, An. pallidus, An. philippinensis.
An. subpictus, An. vagus and An. varuna
Go to Page 40
36 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
An. annularis, An. nivipes, An. pallidus and An. philippinensis
Apical pale band nearly equal to preapical dark band
Dark
An. annularis
Pale
1. An. nivipes
2. An. pallidus
3. An. philippinensis
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 37
An. nivipes, An. pallidus and An. philippinensis
Apex of hind tarsomere 1
38 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
An. nivipes and An. philippinensis
Pre-sector dark mark of vein 1 (R1)
Not reaching up to the distal end of humeral dark mark on the costa
An. philippinensis
Reaching beyond the distal end of humeral dark mark of the costa
An. nivipes
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 39
An. aconitus, An. culicifacies, An. fluviatilis, An. jeyporiensis, An. karwari,
An. minimus, An. subpictus, An. vagus and An. varuna
Banding pattern of palpi
Apical pale band nearly equal to the Apical and sub-apical pale band equal
pre-apical dark band and separated by a small or same sized
1. An. culicifacies dark band called intervening dark band
2. An. fluviatilis 1. An. aconitus
40 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Other important characters for An. karwari
Fore leg
Fore leg
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 41
An. culicifacies, An. fluviatilis, An. jeyporiensis and An. subpictus
Banding pattern of palpi
Apical pale band nearly equal Apical pale band smaller than
to the pre-apical dark band pre-apical dark band and thin palpi
An. culicifacies, An. fluviatilis An. jeyporiensis
and An. subpictus
Fore leg
42 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
An. culicifacies, An. fluviatilis and An. subpictus
Broad pale bands on the foreleg tarsal segments
Present Absent
An. subpictus An. culicifacies, An. fluviatilis
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 43
Other important character for An. culicifacies
Vein 2.1 (R2), 2.2 (R3), 4.2 (M2) and 5.1 (Cu1) with fringe spots
44 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
An. aconitus, An. minimus and An. varuna
Intervening dark band on the palpi
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 45
An. minimus, An. varuna
Inner costa
Dark
An. varuna
46 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Other important characters for An. varuna
- Proboscis generally dark, some time half of its yellow
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 47
Group-B (Subgenus Anopheles)
An. argyropus, An. barbirostris, An. barbumbrosus, An. crawfordi,
An. koreicus, An. lensteri, An. lindesayi. An. nilgiricus, An. nitidus,
An. nigerrimus, An. paraliae, An. pursati, An. peditaeniatus, An. sinensis,
An. sineroides, An. umbrosus and An. yatsushiroensis
Go to Page 54
48 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
An. barbirostris, An. barbumbrosus, An. koreicus, An. lindesayi,
An. nilgiricus, An. umbrosus
Present Absent
1. An. lindesayi 1. An. barbirostris
2. An. nilgiricus 2. An. barbumbrosus
3. An. koreicus
An. lindesayi, An. nilgiricus 4. An. umbrosus (An. letifer)
Pale area on the tip of wing veins
Pale area present on the tip of veins 1 (R1), 2.1 (R2), 4.2 (M2) and 6 (anal)
An. lindesayi
Pale area present on the tip of veins 1 (R1), 2.1 (R2), 6 (anal) and sometime 5.2 (Cu2)
An. nilgiricus
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 49
Other important characters for
An. nilgiricus
Hind femur: a pale ring present nearly
equal to the femur
Hind leg
Hind leg
50 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Other important characters for An. umbrosus
Fringe spot present on vein 2.2, 3, & 4.1 the veins, sternie without scales
An. barbumbrosus
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 51
Fringe spot present on vein 3 (R4+5) only,
An. barbirostris
Fringe spot present on vein 2.1 (R2), 2.2 (R3), 3 (R4+5) and 4.1 (M1)
An. koreicus
52 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
An. yatsushiroensis
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 53
An. argyropus, An. crawfordi, An. lasteri, An. nitidus, An. nigerrimus,
An. paraliae, An. pursati, An. peditaeniatus, An. sinensis, An. sineroides
Basal & apical pale bands on hind tarsomeres
Present Absent
1. An. argyropus 1. An. crawfordi
2. An. nitidus 2. An. lasteri
3. An. nigerrimus 3. An. pursati
4. An. peditaeniatus 4. An. paraliae
5. An. sinensis
6. An. sineroides
Present Absent
1. An. nigerrimus 1. An. argyropus
2. An. nitidus 2. An. peditaeniatus
54 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
An. nigerrimus, An. nitidus
Size of basal dark mark on wing vein 5 (Cu)
Broad Small
An. argyropus An. peditaeniatus
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 55
An. crawfordi, An. lesteri, An. pursati, An. paraliae,
An. sinensis, An. sineroides
Fringe spot on vein 2.1 (R2), 2.2 (R3) and 3 (R4+5)
Present Absent
An. pursati An. paraliae
56 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
An. lesteri, An. sinensis, An. sineroides and An. crawfordi
Vein 6 (anal) with 3 dark spots
Present Absent
An. sineroides 1. An. lesteri
2. An. crawfordi
3. An. sinensis
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 57
Group C (Subgenus Anopheles)
An. bengalensis
58 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Genus: Culex, Aedes and Mansonia
See wing
Go to Page 60
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 59
Culex and Aedes
See abdomen and leg
Blunt, leg generally without white band Pointed, legs with white bands
Culex species Aedes species
Cx. bitaeniorhynchus, Cx. fuscocephala, Cx. gelidus, Ae. aegypti , Ae. albopictus,
Cx. perexiguus, Cx. pseudovishnui, Cx. quinquefasciatus, Ae. niveus, Ae. vittatus
Proboscis and tarsi without band Proboscis & tarsi with bands
1. Cx. bitaeniorhynchus
2. Cx. gelidus
3. Cx. pseudovishnui
1. Cx. fuscocephala 4. Cx. tritaeniorhynchus
2. Cx. perexiguus Hind leg 5. Cx. vishnui
Hind leg
3. Cx. quinquefasciatus 6. Cx. whitmorei
60 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Cx. fuscocephala, Cx. perexiguus and Cx. quinquefasciatus,
pale bands on abdominal terga
Present
Cx. bitaeniorhynchus
Absent
1. Cx. gelidus
2. Cx. pseudovishnui
3. Cx. tritaeniorhynchus
4. Cx. vishnui
5. Cx. whitmorei
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 61
Cx. gelidus, Cx. pseudovishnui, Cx. tritaeniorhynchus,
Cx. vishnui and Cx. whitmorei
Dark pale scaled area on hind femur
Present
Cx. vishnui
Absent
1. Cx. gelidus
2. Cx. pseudovishnui
3. Cx. tritaeniorhynchus
4. Cx. whitmorei
Present Absent
Cx. tritaeniorhynchus 1. Cx. gelidus
2. Cx. pseudovishnui
3. Cx. whitmorei
62 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Cx. gelidus, Cx. pseudovishnui, Cx. whitmorei
See pattern of scales on mesonotum & scutellum
Cx. gelidus
Cx. whitmorei
Cx. pseudovishnui
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 63
Other important characters for Ae. aegypti , Ae. albopictus,
Ae. vittatus, and Ae. niveus
64 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Mansonia
Ma. annulifera, Ma. uniformis and Ma. indiana
Wing with broad, often asymmetrical scales; dark and pale scales intermixed
Mansonia
See mesonotum and scutellum
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 65
Sandfly (Phlebotomus)
identification of genus Phlebotomus, Subgenus Phlebotomus, Euphlebotomus and their
species is based on morphological characters and male or female genitalia
Coxite style
Paramere
0.1
Aedeagus
Surstyle
Ejaculatory duct
Ejaculatory pump
Terminalia
Spermatheca
Terminalia
66 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Species identification
50.0
50.0
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 67
68
Bionomics of vectors
Knowledge of vector biology plays a very important role in developing cost-effective vector control strategies. Therefore, breeding, resting, feeding
and biting habits of 74 species of mosquitoes and 2 species of sandfly are given in the table below.
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
highest from 19:00 and 21:00 and gradually decreased toward
morning.
6 An. barbirostris Ditches, Ponds, Rice fields, Tyre trail. Females of An. barbirostris s.l. bite humans but generally prefer
to feed on other animals, especially bovids. Feeding apparently
takes place outdoors, but adults have been collected resting
inside houses and animal shelters as well as outside.
7 An. barbumbrosus Partially shaded and sunlit fresh and slowly running Outdoor mosquito species, rarely found indoor places.
water, grass-fringed streams to stagnant water pools
and man-made place like rice fields
S.No Vector Species Breeding Habitats Bionomics
8 An. bengalensis Seepage springs/slow running streams with clear Found at altitudes between 500 m and 2000 m
water, isolated pools along a stream, animal hoof-
prints, bamboo grooves
9 An. cracens Breeds in stagnant (or very slowly flowing) water, Anthropophilic species with peak biting at 1900–2100 hours
such as pools, puddles, small pits , animal footprints,
wheel ruts, hollow logs, streams and even wells in
forests and fruit or rubber plantations.
10 An. crawfordi Marshes and ground pools It is more attracted towards man than monkeys.
11 An. culicifacies fresh (unpolluted) water, artificial water containers Adult biting activity occur during the first half of the night in
and unused swimming pools, river-bed pools, rain cooler months (November-March) and during the second and
water collections, streams, rice- fields, seepage third quarters of the evening in the warmer months (September-
water, borrow pits, irrigation channels. October), although peak biting activity has also been reported
as occurring around 23:00 to midnight. Post-feeding behaviour
of the species showed a higher tendency for resting indoors,
mainly in cattle sheds
12 An. dirus Breeds in small, shallow, usually temporary, mostly Highly anthropophilic, exophagic as well as endophagic, and
shaded bodies of fresh, stagnant (or very slowly exophilic. in Thailand, An. dirus has a tendency to bite between
flowing) water, such as pools, puddles, small pits 20:00 and 23:00
(e.g. gem pits), animal footprints (e.g. elephant
footprints), wheel ruts, hollow logs, streams and
even wells located in primary, secondary evergreen
or deciduous forests, bamboo forests and fruit or
rubber plantations.
13 An. dravidicus Permanent or semi-permanent bodies of clean water Female mosquito is attracted more towards cattle than human.
that are often exposed to direct sunlight, including Peak biting time 18:00-21:00
ponds, lakes, swamps, ditches, wells, different types
of pools i.e. grassy, sandy, ground, flood, stream
14 An. farauti Forest inland areas in shaded temporary pools, An. farauti s.s. readily bites humans. Feeding of An. farauti s.l.
muddy animal wallows and hoof-prints is mainly nocturnal and continues throughout the evening,
however, daytime biting can occur. Females readily attack
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
humans inside and outside houses. Indoor resting behaviour
occurs before and after feeding, but habits are varied.
69
70
S.No Vector Species Breeding Habitats Bionomics
15 An. fluviatilis Slow-flowing streams or river margins, in direct or The most anthropophilic and endophilic species. Biting activity
diffuse sunlight, rice fields, often in low numbers, begins around 19:00 and peaks between 20:00 and 21:00,
possibly washed into the fields from the irrigation but may also occur throughout the night until dawn without an
channels where they tend to be found in higher apparent peak.
densities.
16 An. hackeri Split bamboo, cavities of leaf bases Generally bites macaques, exophilic and early biters
17 An. introlatus Prefers to breed in shaded rocky pools, ground Attracted to monkeys at canopy level compared to humans. Rest
pools, in jungle areas and also breeds in rocky and feed outdoor
stream pools, wheel ruts, hoofprints and elephant
footprints.
18 An. jamesii Prefers to breed mainly in tanks, fallow and growing Rests inside houses and cattle sheds during day time.
rice fields
19 An. jeyporiensis Along margins of slow-moving streams and channels It’s an early biter, generally anthropophilic. The species is found
with grassy edges, pools, ponds, swamps and in large numbers in cattle sheds and to a lesser extent inside
terraced rice fields. houses.
20 An. karwari Shady areas including marshes, small, slow-moving Females are generally anthropophilic. Rests inside houses and
streams, seepages, ground and rock pools, springs, cattle sheds during day time.
and rice fields.
21 An. kochi Breeds in shallow muddy collections of water, The adults rest mainly outdoors. It is found more at night times
ground pools with or without grass, hoof- prints, rice in houses. The female bites man readily.
fields.
22 An. koliensis Forest inland areas in shaded temporary pools, Females are generally strongly anthropophilic although they
muddy animal wallows and hoof-prints also feed on animals (birds, dogs and pigs). This species readily
bites outdoors and freely enter houses to feed but does not rest
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
indoors for long periods of time either before or after feeding,
only rarely being found resting inside dwellings throughout the
evening and/or during the day. Biting occurs throughout the
night both indoors and outdoors with the greatest activity often
occurring later in the evening between midnight and dawn.
S.No Vector Species Breeding Habitats Bionomics
23 An. koreicus Larvae are found more frequently in low mountain It is anthropophilic mosquito species, primarily exophilic.
regions in relatively cool water, such as springs and
stream bed pools.
24 An. latens Ground pools and stream margins, turbid water in Found in forest fringes and dense jungles. Female bites
grounds throughout the night. Peak biting time is from 24:00- 2:00
25 An. lesteri The larvae occur in marshes, ground pools, ponds, Rest in cool and shaded places, and have been collected in cow
rice fields and other impounded waters sheds and houses. Anopheles lesteri populations reach their
peak in August. Regarded as anthropophilic, readily attacks
humans. Peak biting activity is from 22:00 and 23:00
26 An. lindesayi Ground pools, rocky pools in mountain streams, It is a high altitudes species. Adults feed throughout day time.
stream bed pools, paddy fields, rock holes, seepage
pools. Hoofprints, seepage pools in rock with
decaying leaves, grass, muddy pools, truck trail
pools, wooden wells etc.
27 An. macarthuri Breed in clean seepage pools, side pools of the Species is exophilic and exophagy and bites more to animals.
stream, river, roadside pools, elephant foot prints,
flood pools and seepage spring in the forest area.
28 An. maculatus Clear moving water, permanent or semi-permanent Females are more strongly attracted to cattle than humans, but
bodies of clean water that are often exposed to freely bite people both inside and outside houses. Anopheles
direct sunlight, including ponds, lakes, swamps, maculatus early biter and peak occur between 18:00 and
ditches, wells, different types of pools (grassy, sandy, 21:00.
ground, flood, stream), margins along small, slow-
flowing streams, gravel pits along stream margins,
seepages, springs, rice fields
29 An. minimus Breeds in streams, canal with slow running clear and Females of An. minimus mainly bite humans but the degree of
cool water in foothills areas. It also breeds in ditches, anthropophily/zoophily depends on the availability of alternative
channels in tea garden, borrowpits, rice fields and hosts (e.g. cattle). Anopheles minimus tends to bite later, with
seepages. The species prefers to breed in shady peak activity occurring around 22:00
places.
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
71
72
S.No Vector Species Breeding Habitats Bionomics
30 An. nigerrimus Deep, cool, semi-open large bodies of water with It is zoophilic mosquito but bites human also and primarily
some emergent or floating vegetation in open exophilic.
sunlight to moderate shade. Habitats include canals,
large open marshes, large stream pools and rice
fields
31 An. nilgiricus Cement tanks, lakes, mud pools, paddy field, It is a species of high altitudes. Adults feeding throughout day
hoofprints time.
32 An. nitidus Commonly breeds in rice fields, tanks, pits, stream Outdoor resting
pools
33 An. nivipes Marshy lands, Ponds, Rice fields with good Host seeking behaviour relatively high in the early evening and
vegetation then declined, but they increased again in the early morning.
34 An. notanandai Ponds, lakes, swamps, ditches, wells, pools Most commonly attracted to cattles than humans.
35 An. pallidus Stagnant waters, Ditches, Ponds with vegetation, Exhibits opportunistic blood-feeding behavior, in that they
shallow pools in beds of stream. prefer to feed on accessible hosts, either human or animal.
36 An. paraliae Marshes, ground pools, ponds, rice fields and other Forest fringe area. Anthropophilic, readily attacks humans. Peak
impounded waters biting activity is from 22:00 to 23:00
37 An. peditaeniatus Ditches, Ponds, Rice fields, Tyre trail Bites both indoor (20:00-2100 h) and outdoors (18:00-20:00 h)
38 An. philippinensis Marshy lands, Ponds, Rice fields with good An. philippinensis appears to be mostly anthropophilic and
vegetation available in broken forest areas. It’s a mid night biter, mainly
exophagic and exclusively exophilic
39 An. pseudojamesii (An. Rain water pools, tanks and swamps with heavy Rests inside houses and cattle sheds in small numbers. Bites
ramsayi) growth of vegetation between 19:00-21:00 h
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
40 An. pseudowillmori Ground Pools, Streams and Rice Fields. An. pseudowillmori prefers to bite out doors. Biting activity peak
in the mid-night
S.No Vector Species Breeding Habitats Bionomics
41 An. pujutensis Breeds in small, shallow, usually temporary, mostly Highly anthropophilic, exophagic as well as endophagic, and
shaded bodies of fresh, stagnant (or very slowly exophilic. In Thailand, it has a tendency to bite between 20:00
flowing) water, such as pools, puddles, small pits and 23:00
(e.g. gem pits), animal footprints (e.g. elephant
footprints), wheel ruts, hollow logs, streams and
even wells located in primary, secondary evergreen
or deciduous forests, bamboo forests and fruit or
rubber plantations.
42 An. punctulatus Forest inland areas in shaded temporary pools, Females readily attack humans outdoors and also enter houses
muddy animal wallows and hoof-prints in search of hosts. Individuals that feed in houses may rest
indoors for the entire evening and daytime but the vast majority
of females leave before dawn to rest outdoors. Peak activity
occurring around or after midnight in some areas.
43 An. pursati Rice field in plain, but also has many manmade Considered also as an economic pest of cattle because of its
canals and ponds vicious biting-behavior
44 An. sawadwongporni Permanent or semi-permanent bodies of clean water Freely bite human both inside and outside houses. Appear to
that are often exposed to direct sunlight, including be the least zoophilic species and exhibit early biting activity,
ponds, lakes, swamps, ditches peaking between 18:00 and 21:00 h.
45 An. scanloni Standing and slowly moving water in deep forest. Found in evergreen forest, deciduous forest. Highly
Also breeds in pools connected with streams, rock anthropophilic and exophagy and endophagy depend upon
pools, in the bed of rivers, Gem pits, wells in forest area to area. Rest mostly outdoors. Bites in the mid night.
areas
46 An. sinensis Stagnant waters, rice fields and swampy areas, Feed throughout the night, with peak activity apparently
lowland, shallow, fresh-water habitats with emergent occurring at different hours depending on locality. Under
and/or floating vegetation in open agriculture lands normal circumstances, females are predominantly zoophilic and
(mainly rice fields). They also utilise stream margins, exophilic, infrequently biting humans in the presence of their
irrigation ditches, ponds, marshes, swamps, bogs, preferred hosts (buffalo and cattle)
pits, stump ground holes, grassy pools, flood pools,
stream pools, rock pools, seepage- springs and
wheel tracks.
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
73
74
S.No Vector Species Breeding Habitats Bionomics
47 An. sineroides Breeds in ponds and ground pools, also from rock Occurs more frequently at higher elevations than in lowlands.
holes, fresh clean water in well , shaded margins of Bites before mid night.
small streams, ditches and ground pools.
48 An. splendidus Breeds in Hill streams, jungles, ponds, pools with It is found in small numbers in houses and cattle sheds.
algal vegetation and also tanks and lake margins with Primarily a cattle feeder but may occasionally bite man.
vegetation.
49 An. stephensi An. stephensi larvae utilise fresh-water pools, stream Anopheles stephensi is generally considered to be an endophilic
margins and stream beds, catch basins, seepage and endophagic species even though it bites outdoors during
canals, wells and domestic water- storage containers. the warmer/summer months due to greater outdoor activity of
humans and domestic animals.
50 An. subpictus Natural larval habitats include ponds, well, Anopheles subpictus appears overall to exhibit an endophilic
borrowpits, lagoons, shallow ponds, marshes, slow- resting habit. It is generally zoophilic. Bites throughout the night
flowing rivers, natural pools and margins of small but peak biting occurs in early hours i.e. 18:00-20:00 h.
streams, also highly associated with rice fields and
irrigation schemes, etc.
51 An. sundaicus Breeds in natural fresh and brackish water Females are mainly anthropophilic and exhibit both endophagic
impoundments, often with dense aquatic vegetation and exophagic feeding habits. Peak biting activity typically
in coastal areas. occurs between 20:00 and 03:00 depending on locality.
52 An. tessellatus Larval habitats are collections of dirty stagnant water Adults primarily zoophilic but will enter houses to bite man.
in sun or shade.
53 An. theobaldi Found more frequent in streams than still water Females are more strongly attracted to cattle than humans.
54 An. umbrosus Larvae found in still, shaded, dark, acidic water Adults are exophagic and mid night biters.
with emergent vegetation or numerous leaves in the
water. Habitats include freshwater swamps, jungle
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
pools, large isolated stream pools. Swamp forest
edge in ditches with vegetation.
55 An. vagus Breeds in Ditches, Ponds, pools, rainwater An. vagus are zoophilic, exophilic and exophagic in nature. Bites
collection, Rice fields, Tyres, Animal hoof print, early hours i.e. 18:00 - 20:00 h.
Puddle and also breed in muddy water collection.
56 An. varuna Breeds primarily in a natural stream that also Generally regarded as anthropophilic mosquito, readily
doubled as an irrigation conveyance canal, collected in houses and cattle sheds. Indoor biting between mid
streambed pools. night and dawn. Also outdoor resting.
S.No Vector Species Breeding Habitats Bionomics
57 An. willmori Breeds in slow running stream margins, rice fields, Anthropophilic and opportunistic feeding behavior, freely bite
pits and wells people both inside and outside houses. Exhibit early biting
activity
58 An. yatsuschiroensis Paddy fields, irrigation ditches, creeks and so forth; Adult populations are highest in June and October. Peak biting
activity is from 21:00 to 22:00
B. Vectors of Filariasis and Japanese encephalitis (Culex)
59 Cx. bitaeniorhynchus Larvae are restricted to ground water habitats Females are blood feeders of birds and sometimes humans.
containing Spirogyra.
60 Cx. fuscocephala Breeds in ground pools and rice- fields and in highly Bites both human and animal. Rest both outdoor and indoor.
polluted water such as drains, cesspool and bamboo
pits.
61 Cx. gelidus Ground Pools, usually those containing much weed, Females are vicious biters, preferring large domestic animals to
Rice- fields and marshy tracts man
62 Cx. perexiguus Standing water bodies, including container habitats, Believed to feed mainly on birds, females discovered to take
generally away from human habitations, and can bovine blood. Occasionally, females enter houses and bite
tolerate some salinity humans
63 Cx. pseudovishnui Edges of rice fields, puddles, wells Rest in cow sheds and human habitations.
64 Cx. quinquefasciatus Bodies of water containing a high degree of organic Females readily enter houses at night and bite man in
pollution and close to human habitation including preference to other mammals
stagnant drains, cesspools, septic tanks with leaks,
borrow pits
65 Cx. tritaeniorhynchus Ground pools, rice fields, marshes, and small, stable Most abundant in July, August, and September in subtropical
collections of clean water around cultivated fields, and temperate climates. The adult females do not rest in houses
ground pools, ditches or animal shelters in the daytime except in small numbers.
Entry and resting at night in houses and animal shelters have
been observed, but feeding probably takes place most often in
the open. Feeding activity is greatest during the first hour after
sunset.
66 Cx. vishnui Ground Pools, Rice- fields, puddles, ditches, ponds, Females feed primarily on pigs and birds, but in their absence will
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
animal and wheel tracks and salt marshes readily bite man
75
76
S.No Vector Species Breeding Habitats Bionomics
67 Cx. whitmorei Fresh water ground pools, including ditches and Prevalence of adults show a peak usually towards the end of rainy
puddles in rice fields containing numerous grasses season. Adults attracted mainly towards cattles, but also to pigs,
birds and man.
C Vectors of dengue, chikungunya and Zika (Aedes)
68 Ae. aegypti Breeds in areas of stagnant water, containers such Most commonly feed at dusk and dawn, indoors, in shady
as flower vases, uncovered barrels, buckets, and areas, or when the weather is cloudy, they can bite and spread
discarded tyres, overhead tanks, curing tanks and infection all year long and at any time of day. Lifespan of an
toilet tanks and is known as container breeder. adult Ae. aegypti is two to four weeks, eggs can be viable for
over a year in a dry state.
69 Ae. albopictus Tree holes, particles of plants and artificial Typically flies and feeds in the daytime in addition to at dusk
containers, rock holes, hollow bamboo stumps and and dawn. They are strongly attracted to bite humans, but also
leaf axils feed on cats, dogs, squirrels, deer and other mammals, as well
as birds. They bite outdoors and indoors, but are usually found
outside.
70 Ae. vittatus Boats, wells, tree trunks, tree holes, bamboo cups It is a voracious biter of humans
and pots, occasional utensils, rock pools, rock holes,
in pools, in rock outcrops or river beds
71 Ae. niveus Immatures are found in tree holes and bamboo Females are day biter and mostly zoophilic
stumps.
D Vector of Filariasis (Mansonia)
72 Ma. annulifera Pools, permanent marshy area It is an endophilic species, prefer to rest indoor places. Adults
normally active after midnight and before dawn. It shows high
affinity for human biting. The biting tendency is relatively more
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
indoors (endophagic).
73 Ma. indiana Several marshy, water-logged areas suitable for The biting tendency is relatively more indoors (endophagic).
the growth of Pistia stratiotes, Salvinia auriculata, It shows a predilection towards cattle, with varying degrees of
Eichhornia speciosa etc zoophily.
74 Ma. uniformis Open swamps formed when forest is clear in which The biting tendency is outdoors (exophagic) for Ma. uniformis.
the vegetation is dominated by the swamp grasses It shows a predilection towards cattle, with varying degrees of
zoophily.
S.No Vector Species Breeding Habitats Bionomics
E Vector of Leishmaniasis (Phlebotomus)
75 P. argentipes Organic soils at the junction of the floor and walls Bites at night during 9 pm and 1 am with its peak time 11–12
of cattle sheds and earthen houses, mud-plastered pm
walls with cracks, and damp floors in constructions
close to small water bodies and vegetation
76 P. papatasi Rodent burrows, the deep and relatively cool and Have a relatively long flight range and does not always stay near
humid cracks with cut roots and branches between breeding sites
the large cracked soil
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
77
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(2) B.N. Nagpal and V.P. Sharma (1995). Indian Anophelines. Oxford and IBH Publishing Co. Pvt. Ltd.,
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(3) Bina Pani Das Dr. (2013). Pictorial key to common species of Culex (Culex) mosquitoes associated with
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(4) Bryan JH (1974). Morphological studies on the Anopheles punctulatus Donitz complex. Trans. R. ent.
Soc. Lond. 125(4), pp. 413-435
(5) Filipe Dantas-Torres, Viviana Domenica Tarallo and Domenico Otranto. Morphological keys for the
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et al. Parasites & Vectors 2014; 7:479.
(6) Glick I Jayson (1992). Illustrated key to the female Anopheles of Southwestern Asia and Egypt
(Diptera:Culicidae)
(7) Lewis, D. J. (1963). Arthropod vectors of public health importance. Bulletin of the World Health
Organization; 29 Suppl:19-24 .http://www.who.int/iris/handle/10665/266880
(8) Peyton MSG and Scanlon LTC (1966). Illustrated key to the female Anopheles mosquitoes of Thailand.
United States Army Medical, South-East Asia Treaty Organization, Bangkok, Thailand
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type locality of Hong Kong and two new species of maculatus complex from the Philippines. Mosq.
Systematic Vol 22(3):160-183.
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Armed Forces Research Institute of Medical Sciences
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78 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Glossary
Abdomen The abdomen is composed of 10 segments but externally only eight segments
can be seen, the last two being modified into genital organs
Accessory sector pale spot The group of pale scales sometimes occurring on the radius at or just distad
of the splitting of radius-one and the radial sector
Antennae Antennae are sense organs which arise on the front of the head between
the eyes and consist of a flagellum of 13 flagellomeres in females and 14
flagellomeres in males
Anterior and posterior The areas of the wing enclosed by the branches of veins 2(RS) and 4(M) are
forked cells known as anterior and posterior forked cells respectively
Anthropophillc showing a preference for feeding on man even when non-human hosts are
available. A relative term requiring qualification so as to indicate the extent
of this preference
Apical pale band The pale or the white band which is away from the head, i.e., towards the
distal end
Bands on legs There are two types of bands: (1) very narrow bands confined to the apices,
i.e., towards the tips only and leaving the bases dark and (2) broad bands
spreading across the joints on the bases of the next segment
Basal band third band, which is towards the basal side, is known as the basal or proximal
pale band.
Costa and Subcosta The thickened anterior border of the wing is known as costa and parallel
to it is the subcostal, which fuses the costa in the middle of the anterior
border of the wing.
Ecology The study of the interaction between organisms and their environment
Female genitalia Female genitalia have no special characters which can help in the species
identification, but they may be of use in the separation of species belonging
to subgenus Anopheles from subgenus Cellia
Head The head is the smallest part of the mosquito body, is almost spherical, and
is connected to the thorax through a narrow, membranous neck.
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 79
Legs There are three pairs of legs originating from the lower side of the thorax:
the forelegs, midlegs and hindlegs. Each leg consists of conical coxa, a small
hinge-like trochanter, a long femur, a slender tibia, and a five- segmented
tarsus
Longitudinal veins There are six longitudinal veins known as veins 1 (R1), 2{RS), 3{R4 +5),
4(M), 5(Cu) and 6{Anal); Veins 1{R1), 3(R4 + 5). and 6(Anal) are undivided
and veins 2(RS), 4(M), and 5(Cu) are bifurcated and their numbers designated
2{RS). 2.1(R2), 2.2(R3), 4(M), 4.1{M1). 4.2(M2), 5(Cu), 5.1(Cu1), 5.2{Cu2).
Veins 2(RS) and 4(M) and subcosta are concave and prominent on the
under surface of the wing and veins 1 (R1), 3{R4 + 5). 5(Cu). and 6(Anal)
Male genitalia The male genitalia is also known as external genitalia, terminalia, or
hypopygium-a copulatory apparatus
Palpi A pair of palpi arises from the lower front margin of the head near the either
side of proboscis.
Pre-apical dark band The dark band between the apical and subapical pale bands is known as
the pre-apical dark band or intervening dark band.
Pre-sector dark spot The group of dark scales occurring between the presector pale and sector
pale spots
Proboscis The proboscis projects downwards and forwards from the lower front
margin of the head and generally is continuously dark in colour, except the
labellum, which is light yellow
Pupa Stage between the larva and the imago in the development of the mosquito,
during which it is aquatic and active but does not feed. When the larva
undergoes metamorphosis into a pupa ("pupation") the fourth and last larval
skin is cast off.
Speckling in legs Presence of scattered and irregular patches of pale spot on the femur, tibia
and some tarsal segments
80 Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region
Susceptibility 1. Liability in a population of insects to be killed by a particular insecticide.
The average susceptibility of a species or population of mosquitoes is
usually measured in terms of the median lethal concentration (LC50).
2. Liability of species of mosquito to become infected when fed on a person
known to be infectious; usually measured in relation to the liability of
infection of another species fed at the same time on the same person
3. Liability of a person to become infected. The lower the immunity, the
higher the susceptibility
Tergites and sternites The dorsal part of the abdomen is called dorsum and the segments are
known as tergites; the ventral side is known as venter and segments are
called sternites
Thorax The thorax is the middle part of the body. It bears two pairs of wings and
three pairs of legs and has three distinct parts-pronotum, scutum, and
metanotum-each part consisting of one pair of legs
Vector In malaria, any species of mosquito in which the Plasmodium completes its
sexual cycle in nature and which is thus able to transmit the disease
Vector principal Species mainly responsible for transmitting malaria in any particular
circumstance. Principal vector may overlap or may alternate seasonally
Vector, secondary Species thought to play a minor role in transmission in association with a
principal vector and to be capable of maintaining malaria at a reduced level
in the absence of the latter.
Wings A pair of wings arises from the scutum and bears a number of important
characters which help to identify the subgenus and species.
Zoophilic Term applied to mosquitoes showing a relative preference for non- human
blood even when human hosts are really available
Pictorial identification key of important disease vectors in the WHO South-East Asia Region 81
Pictorial identification key
of important disease vectors in
the WHO South-East Asia Region
2020
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