A MOSQUITO SURVEY OF CULICIDAE SPECIES AT EDİRNE CENTRAL DISTRICT FOR DISEASE VECTOR

Mosquitoes are the most important vectors that can transmit many diseases agents to humans and animals. This study was conducted in Edirne central district between July 2017 and July 2018 to identify important vector mosquito species, determine their seasonality and distribution pattern in general terms. Larvae, pupae, and adults were collected from areas assessed as being particularly suitable for medically important species included in the genus of Aedes, Culex, and Anopheles. In addition to the foci naturally found in the areas, ovitraps placed in the proper points were also used. As a result, 3155 female and 353 male mosquitoes belonging to 13 species of 5 genera were obtained. Among these species, Anopheles sacharovi (the primary vector of malaria in Turkey) and Culex pipiens s.l. (the primary vector of West Nile Fever) has been recognized as a public health threat to the province. An. sacharovi was represented at a very low population level, while Cx. pipiens s.l. was determined as the most common and dense species in the study area. Known to have a high preference for warmer climate compared to members of the Anopheles maculipennis s.l., An. sacharovi has the risk of increasing its population in the region with possible global warming in the future. The importance of this risk increases even more since rice production is widespread especially in Edirne and this species can use the paddy fields as an effective breeding place. While Aedes caspius was commonly encountered, Ae. albopictus was not found during the field observation and ovitrap controls.