Abstract
A study on the relative abundance of malaria vectors was investigated in Ugah, Nasarawa state, Nigeria
between January and December 2004. A total of 2,276 mosquitoes were collected. The mosquitoes
comprise three species - Anopheles gambiae sl, Anopheles funestus and Anopheles ardensis. Of the
anophelines, Anopheles gambiae sl is the most abundant that is, 1087(47.76%) followed by Anopheles
funestus and Anopheles ardensis with abundances of 863(37.92%) and 326(14.32%) respectively.
Female anophelines were 1,670(73.37%). There was a significant difference in the relative abundance of
mosquitoes with respect to season (P < 0.05). A number of factors (awareness, culture, proximity to
water bodies) appear to be responsible for the abundance of the mosquitoes. The result suggests that
concerted efforts should be made by stakeholders at reducing the abundance of malaria vectors in the
rural areas in order to prevent outbreak.
Key words: Relative abundance, mosquitoes, Anopheles gambiae sl, Anopheles funestus, Anopheles
ardensis.
