Field studies of larval Anopheles arabiensis Patton of Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kenya

Abstract

Between May 1984 and December 1985, the population of immature stages of Anopheles arabiensis was sampled by the dip method at sites close to two villages in Mwea Irrigation Scheme, Kenya. Larval presence corresponded to rainy seasons and the flooding phase of the rice cycle. No larvae were found during the postharvest dry season. The instar composition, age distribution and survivorship curves for the different stages were determined. Pupal productivity for Mwea rice fields was estimated to be 1% of the total immature population.