Effect of rainfall on the breeding of Aedes aegypti, a vector of dengue/DHR and chikunguniya with respect to container positivity in western Rajasthan

Dr. Rina Kumawat; Dr. Karam V. Singh

Volume : V, Issue : X, October - 2016

Effect of rainfall on the breeding of Aedes aegypti, a vector of dengue/DHR and chikunguniya with respect to container positivity in western Rajasthan

Dr. Rina Kumawat, Dr. Karam V. Singh

Abstract :

Entomological investigations have been carried–out to study the impact of rainfall on the container positivity for Aedes aegypti eeding in Jodhpur, which represent a western arid part of Rajasthan state. The month–wise data of container positivity in relation to rainfall was observed directly proportionate (R=0.88, 76.8% correlation). Similarly, the data of prevalence of fourth instar larvae (L–4) & PDI exhibited a positive trend in relation to rainfall (R=0.88, R=0.72). The association of positivity of individual container with the rainfall revealed that Underground Cemented tanks, Ground Cemented tanks, Ground plastic drums, Clay/Pitchers and Coolers has positive correlation (R=0.79, R=0.85, R=0.88, R=0.76, R=0.87), whereas, Overhead Cemented tanks exhibited negative correlation ( R= –0.76 ), however, the positivity of Overhead Syntex Plastic tanks, Ground Plastic Tanks, Ground Plastic tubs, Ground Metallic pots and Bird pots did not exhibit any correlation. The rainfall also exhibited strong positive association with different entomological parameters i.e. CI, BI, LDI and PDI (R=0.88, R=0.88, R=0.87, R=0.72). The study reveals that correlations of rainfall with container positivity and entomological indices during different monsoon months, can be exploited for targeting the respective containers while undertaking intervention measures against Ae. aegypti mosquitoes in a focussed manner.