Distribution and Ecology of Malaria Vectors in India: A review

Malaria is the most common infectious disease and a public health problem in India. India has several species of malaria vectors. Anopheles culicifacies, Anopheles fluviatilis, Anopheles baimaii, Anopheles sundaicus and Anopheles stephensi are major and primary malaria vectors and Anopheles philippinensis, Anopheles varuna, Anopheles nivipes and Anopheles annularis are also identified as secondary malaria vectors from various geographic regions of India. Out of those, Anopheles culicifacies and Anopheles fluviatilis are major vectors of malaria in India. Anopheles culicifacies generally occurs in hilly areas, while Anopheles fluviatilis occurs in plain areas of the country. Anopheles culicifacies breeds in pools, river beds and rainwater storage areas, as well as in swamps, rice fields, burrow pits and irrigation canals. Anopheles fluviatilis breeds in river margins, irrigation canals, shallow wells, seepage water streams, and rice-field foothill habitat. Anopheles stephensi is an urban mosquito vector of malaria in India. It’s preferred to breed in domestic containments, in construction sites, in overhead and unground cemented tanks, and in chambers of coolers.