Host Preferences and Impact of Climate on Blood Feeding in Anopheles funestus Group from South Africa.

ABSTRACT: Anopheles vaneedeni and Anopheles parensis (members of the An. funestus group) are generally not considered malaria vectors. However, both species were recently identified as potential vectors in South Africa. A critical factor needed to determine their role in malaria transmission is their preference for human blood. The human blood index of An. vaneedeni and An. parensis and their potential role in the ongoing residual malaria transmission in South Africa is unknown. This study aimed to identify host blood meals from the wild-caught An. funestus group in a longitudinal study, and to establish the relationship between temperature, relative humidity, and precipitation on host feeding preferences. Anopheles leesoni, An. parensis, An

SUBMITTER: Mwamba TM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11511239 | biostudies-literature | 2024 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature