Sibling species composition and feeding pattern of malaria vectors in indoor-sprayed and non-sprayed districts of Lira and Kole, northern Uganda

Abstract Background Vector control interventions using long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying are common tools deployed for the control of malaria in Uganda. To evaluate the effectiveness of these control tools and understand the prevailing malaria vectors, a study was conducted...

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Main Authors: Rashid Mwesige, John Paul Byagamy, Robert Opiro, Harriet Angwech, David Onanyang, Patrick Buchan Ocen, Stephen Ochaya, Geoffrey Maxwell Malinga
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:Malaria Journal
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-025-05460-0
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author Rashid Mwesige
John Paul Byagamy
Robert Opiro
Harriet Angwech
David Onanyang
Patrick Buchan Ocen
Stephen Ochaya
Geoffrey Maxwell Malinga
author_facet Rashid Mwesige
John Paul Byagamy
Robert Opiro
Harriet Angwech
David Onanyang
Patrick Buchan Ocen
Stephen Ochaya
Geoffrey Maxwell Malinga
author_sort Rashid Mwesige
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Vector control interventions using long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying are common tools deployed for the control of malaria in Uganda. To evaluate the effectiveness of these control tools and understand the prevailing malaria vectors, a study was conducted to determine the species composition, indoor resting population density and biting pattern of malaria vectors in indoor residual spraying (IRS) and non-indoor residual spraying (non-IRS) districts of Lira and Kole, Northern Uganda. Methods Both indoor and outdoor adult malaria vectors were sampled using Human-Baited Catch and Pyrethrum Spray Catch methods from August to September 2022. Mosquitoes collected were identified to species level using morphological keys and species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. The indoor and outdoor time of biting of the mosquitoes were also recorded. Results The indoor residual densities (IRD) of anopheles populations in non-IRS sprayed district of Kole did not differ significantly from residual sprayed district of Lira (Man-Whitney U-test, U = 7.0, P = 0.400, N = 6). However, Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) dominated the vector population (43.1%, 44/102) in the non-IRS district, followed by An. funestus (30.4%, 31/102) and Anopheles arabiensis (26.5%, 27/102). In the IRS district, Anopheles funestus was the predominant species (52.3%, 23/44), followed by An. gambiae s.s. (34.1%, 15/44) and An. arabiensis (13.61%, 6/44). In IRS district, An. funestus and An. gambiae s.s. had an indoor biting peak of 03:00–04:00 h and outdoors from 21:00–1:00 h. Conclusion The findings have important implications for malaria control interventions in areas where IRS is actively used for vector control. However, more longitudinal, ecological, and genetic studies are needed to better understand the entomological impact of indoor residual spraying in northern Uganda.
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spelling doaj-art-a4605851a2ba4ef9a8bd15d71eb049152025-08-20T03:45:24ZengBMCMalaria Journal1475-28752025-07-0124111110.1186/s12936-025-05460-0Sibling species composition and feeding pattern of malaria vectors in indoor-sprayed and non-sprayed districts of Lira and Kole, northern UgandaRashid Mwesige0John Paul Byagamy1Robert Opiro2Harriet Angwech3David Onanyang4Patrick Buchan Ocen5Stephen Ochaya6Geoffrey Maxwell Malinga7Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gulu UniversityDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gulu UniversityDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gulu UniversityDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gulu UniversityDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gulu UniversityDepartment of Health, Lira District Local GovernmentDepartment of Microbiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine, Gulu UniversityDepartment of Biology, Faculty of Science, Gulu UniversityAbstract Background Vector control interventions using long-lasting insecticidal nets and indoor residual spraying are common tools deployed for the control of malaria in Uganda. To evaluate the effectiveness of these control tools and understand the prevailing malaria vectors, a study was conducted to determine the species composition, indoor resting population density and biting pattern of malaria vectors in indoor residual spraying (IRS) and non-indoor residual spraying (non-IRS) districts of Lira and Kole, Northern Uganda. Methods Both indoor and outdoor adult malaria vectors were sampled using Human-Baited Catch and Pyrethrum Spray Catch methods from August to September 2022. Mosquitoes collected were identified to species level using morphological keys and species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays. The indoor and outdoor time of biting of the mosquitoes were also recorded. Results The indoor residual densities (IRD) of anopheles populations in non-IRS sprayed district of Kole did not differ significantly from residual sprayed district of Lira (Man-Whitney U-test, U = 7.0, P = 0.400, N = 6). However, Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto (s.s.) dominated the vector population (43.1%, 44/102) in the non-IRS district, followed by An. funestus (30.4%, 31/102) and Anopheles arabiensis (26.5%, 27/102). In the IRS district, Anopheles funestus was the predominant species (52.3%, 23/44), followed by An. gambiae s.s. (34.1%, 15/44) and An. arabiensis (13.61%, 6/44). In IRS district, An. funestus and An. gambiae s.s. had an indoor biting peak of 03:00–04:00 h and outdoors from 21:00–1:00 h. Conclusion The findings have important implications for malaria control interventions in areas where IRS is actively used for vector control. However, more longitudinal, ecological, and genetic studies are needed to better understand the entomological impact of indoor residual spraying in northern Uganda.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-025-05460-0Malaria vectorsSpecies compositionFeeding patternIndoor and non-indoor residual sprayingLira and Kole districtsNorthern Uganda
spellingShingle Rashid Mwesige
John Paul Byagamy
Robert Opiro
Harriet Angwech
David Onanyang
Patrick Buchan Ocen
Stephen Ochaya
Geoffrey Maxwell Malinga
Sibling species composition and feeding pattern of malaria vectors in indoor-sprayed and non-sprayed districts of Lira and Kole, northern Uganda
Malaria Journal
Malaria vectors
Species composition
Feeding pattern
Indoor and non-indoor residual spraying
Lira and Kole districts
Northern Uganda
title Sibling species composition and feeding pattern of malaria vectors in indoor-sprayed and non-sprayed districts of Lira and Kole, northern Uganda
title_full Sibling species composition and feeding pattern of malaria vectors in indoor-sprayed and non-sprayed districts of Lira and Kole, northern Uganda
title_fullStr Sibling species composition and feeding pattern of malaria vectors in indoor-sprayed and non-sprayed districts of Lira and Kole, northern Uganda
title_full_unstemmed Sibling species composition and feeding pattern of malaria vectors in indoor-sprayed and non-sprayed districts of Lira and Kole, northern Uganda
title_short Sibling species composition and feeding pattern of malaria vectors in indoor-sprayed and non-sprayed districts of Lira and Kole, northern Uganda
title_sort sibling species composition and feeding pattern of malaria vectors in indoor sprayed and non sprayed districts of lira and kole northern uganda
topic Malaria vectors
Species composition
Feeding pattern
Indoor and non-indoor residual spraying
Lira and Kole districts
Northern Uganda
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12936-025-05460-0
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