Species shifting composition of the Anopheles vector in Wongsorejo district - Banyuwangi, Indonesia

Abstract

Malaria’s cases have been reported to occur annually in Wongsorejo district of Banyuwangi, East Java since 2002. However, there is a significant decrease of malaria cases during these last years, which might be related to the malaria vector species shifting composition. The objective of this research was to observe some important bionomic characteristics of malaria vector Anopheles in this area from 2015 until 2020 which include species identification, blood feeding behaviour and biting preference of vector. The data collection i.e. determination of Anopheles diversity and behaviour was conducted monthly for 3-6 months annually from 2015 – 2018. In 2019-2020 we sampled irregularly to see the trend. The results showed that there were species shifting of Anopheles vectors in this area. The proportion of Anopheles (An.) sundaicus and An. subpictus, which were previously reported until 2015 as the main Anopheles species in this area, significantly decreased in 2016 - 2018. An. indefinitus & An. vagus was becoming the majority of Anopheles species. During 2019-2020, An. vagus became the main species identified in the sampling area. The predominant species of An. vagus and An. indefinitus has exophagic and zoophilic preference behaviour. Furthermore, An. indefinitus has not previously been identified as a vector for malaria, compared to An. sundaius, and An. subpictus which are well known as an important primary malaria vector on Java Island, Indonesia.