Impact of meteorological parameters on mosquito population abundance and distribution in a former malaria endemic area, central Iran

Meteorological parameters, have been identified as an important factor involved in the transmission of vectorborne diseases. Mosquitoes are extremely sensitive to weather conditions. The aim of this study was investigate the correlation between meteorological parameters and the abundance of mosquitoes in Kashan County. Mosquitoes were collected using four different traps, including hand catch, animal baited bed net trap (usually a cow), human baited bed net trap and BG-Sentinel trap with CO2 from May to December 2019. A total number of mosquitoes collected were 1756 out of which 1621 (92.31%) were Culex, 22 (1.25%) Culiseta and 113 (6.44%) Anopheles in nine species. Most mosquitoes were collected by BG-Sentinel trap with CO2 (63.78%). Monthly distribution of the mosquitoes indicated different monthly peaks. Their high density were recorded in September and were low in December. The spearman's correlation of the mosquito abundance and the meteorological parameters shows that correlation of the number of total collected mosquitoes with relative humidity and precipitation (Rainfall) was weak negative, and there was week correlation with wind speed, and positive strong correlation with temperature. Data collected with various trap types and mosquito correlation with meteorological parameters in this study can be used for mosquito surveillance and control programs. However, meteorological parameters affect the abundance of mosquitoes, but their impact is complex and most of these variables are species specific.

Automated summary

Meteorological parameters play an important role in the transmission of vectorborne diseases, with mosquitoes being highly sensitive to weather conditions. This study aimed to explore the correlation between meteorological parameters and mosquito abundance in Kashan County. The results showed that mosquito abundance had a weak negative correlation with relative humidity and precipitation, a weak correlation with wind speed, and a strong positive correlation with temperature. Mosquito density peaked in September and decreased in December, with the majority of mosquitoes collected by the BG-Sentinel trap with CO2.