Insect Vectors Associated to Dumpsites in Gombe Metropolis, Nigeria, Western Africa
Current Research Trends in Biological Science Vol. 1,
Page 45-54
Abstract
Insects are a very diverse group of organisms that play a very great and crucial role in the survival and wellbeing of humans and other organisms. Several insect groups are vectors of diseases, transmitting pathogens among humans and other animals. Insects are found in diverse environment including dumpsites. This study was conducted to determine the insect vectors living in refuse dumps at Gombe Metropolis in Gombe State, Nigeria. The metropolis were divided into four longitudinal zones, and in each zone three dumpsites were randomly selected. Visual observations were used to estimate the composition of the refuse dumps. The study was conducted in Gombe metropolis of Gombe state between the months of May and August, 2018. Sweep nets, sticky traps, water traps and handpicking were used to collect the different vector species. Specimen collected were preserved and transported to the laboratory for identification. Standard Identification keys were used for the identification of the vectors. The compositions of the refuse dumps varied from vegetable matter and animal remains to assorted materials including used tyres, electronic parts, cartons, faecal matter, broken bottles, polythene bags. A total of 464 insect vectors belonging to 9 species were collected. Musca domestica 282(60.8%) was the dominant species, followed by Anopheles spp 55(11.9%) and Aedes species 44(9.4%). Periplaneta americana accounts 37(8.0%) of the collections. The thriving population of these vector species and the abundance of putrefying refuse dumps are risk factors of the endemic diseases transmitted by such vectors in the city. In view of these findings, it is expedient to properly dispose refuse to curtail the possibility of outbreak of vector-borne diseases.
Keywords:
- Refuse dumps
- nets
- Musca domestica
- Anopheles spp. Aedes spp
- Periplaneta americana
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