Wigati et al (2021): Potential breeding filariasis vector Jan 2021 Vol. 24 Issue 01 Potential breeding sites and abundance of filariasis vector mosquitoes in buton district, Southeast Sulawesi Province Raden Ajeng Wigati1*, Mujiyono Mujiyono1, Nurhidayati Nurhidayati1, Siti Diniarsih2, Hening Triandika3, Setyo Sulistyono3 1Institute of Vector and Reservoir Control Research and Development, Salatiga 2Biolaska Study Club, Biology Department of UIN Sunan Kalijaga Yogyakarta 3Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, Yogyakarta State University (UNY) *Corresponding author: Raden Ajeng Wigati Institute of Vector and Reservoir Control Research and Development National Institute of Health Research and Development Ministry of Health, Hasanudin 123, Salatiga 50721 Central Java, Indonesia Telephone number/Fax : (0298)-327096/ (0298)-322604 Email address: [email protected] Abstract Background: Lymphatic filariasis is one of tropical diseases, transmitted by mosquitoes. It is important to know the distribution, ecology, and biology of mosquitoes that depend on the genus and species. High mosquito populations are associated with the availability of mosquito breeding sites. Not all breeding sites are clearly visible to humans. Some species prefer temporary water bodies, while others prefer more permanent ones. Potential habitat is a major factor of the diversity and abundance of vector mosquito populations in Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi. Aims: The study aimed to determine mosquitos’ abundance and describe mosquitoes breeding sites. Methods: Tools used for collecting mosquitos’ larvae were mosquito dipper, aquatic nets, and larvae pipette. The survey was performed in two filariasis-endemic villages, which were Bonelalo and Mabulugo with explorative descriptive methods. Results: Based on the results, there are nine types of mosquito breeding sites in two villages, namely ditches, wellsprings, river banks, rice fields, puddles, coconut shells, irrigation channels, mangroves, and estuary. Potential breeding sites that support mosquito development stage include muddy beaches, rocky beaches, mangrove, community plantations, crop, paddy fields, and secondary forest. In Bonelalo and Mabulugo Village, Culex quinquefasciatus and Cx. vishnui were the most abundant species. Those were supported by the existence of potential breeding sites dominant in Bonelalo and Mabulugo villages, namely ditches and puddles. Conclusions: potential breeding sites of filarial vector mosquitoes will promote their life stage that will directly relate to the transmission of filariasis. Keywords: potential breeding sites, abundance, mosquitoes, filariasis, Buton District Annals of Tropical Medicine & Public Health http://doi.org/10.36295/ASRO.2021.24147 Wigati et al (2021): Potential breeding filariasis vector Jan 2021 Vol. 24 Issue 01 How to cite this article: Wigati RA, Mujiyono M, et al (2021): Potential breeding sites and abundance of filariasis vector mosquitoes in Buton district, Southeast Sulawesi province, Ann Trop Med & Public Health; 24 (S01): SP24147. DOI: http://doi.org/10.36295/ASRO.2021.24147 Introduction Mosquitoes live in almost all natural ecosystems. To maintain the ecosystem balance, mosquitoes are influenced by biotic (predators, parasites) and abiotic (temperature, rainfall, climate) factors. Likewise, each species has specific habitats 1. Distribution of breeding sites and diversity mosquito in various ecosystems can change as a result of human activities. So, it is important to know breeding sites distribution and diversity of mosquitoes for ecosystems which have been managed by humans. Some mosquitoes are cosmopolitan and live near human habitations 2. Mosquitoes have been known as one of haematophagus insects and some of them can serve as vectors for transmitting protozoan, worms, or virus, which become agent of human diseases in many parts of the world, including in Indonesia3; 4. There are more than 457 types of mosquitoes from 18 genera in Indonesia. These species are mainly dominated by genera Aedes, Anopheles and Culex, which are 287 species. These three genera get more attention because they are generally zoophilic or anthropophilic, which can be a disease vector. Some viruses, plasmodia or filarial can be transmitted by those genera Aedes, Anopheles and Culex. However, it does not mean that other types are not important, for instance a fitophilic species (sucking plant fluids) 5. In Sulawesi island, 134 species of mosquitoes have been recorded, or about 25 percent of the total number of mosquitoes in Indonesia 6. Lymphatic filariasis, commonly called elephantiasis, is one of the neglected tropical diseases. Lymphatic filariasis is an infectious disease caused by Nematode worm infections and is transmitted by mosquitoes 7. Various mosquitoes have been found to act as filariasis vectors, namely Anopheles, Culex, Mansonia, Aedes and Armigeres8 whose distribution, ecology, biology and transmission potential vary greatly. There are 23 species of mosquitoes from 5 genera known to act as filariasis vectors. Therefore, it is necessary to know vector bionomic which includes feeding behaviour, resting behaviour and mosquito breeding sites. It is important to know where the breeding sites are. The sites depend on the genus and species of mosquito and they vary widely. Not all breeding sites are clearly visible to humans, especially as some species prefer temporary water bodies, while others prefer more permanent ones. Potential breeding site is a major factor determining the diversity and abundance of vector mosquito populations in Buton Regency, Southeast Sulawesi. In Buton Regency, between 2006 and 2007, the prevalence of filariasis increased from 0.56/10,000 to 0.58/10,000. Meanwhile, within the period of 2008-2013, the prevalence of filariasis tended to decrease, as follows 0.43/10,000 (2008); 0.49/10,000 (2009); 0.47/10,000 (2010); 0.30/10,000 (2011); 0.30/10,000 (2012); 0.30/10,000 (2013). However, the prevalence of filariasis increased from 2014 to 2015, which was about 1.26/10,000 (2014) and 2.33/10,000 (2015) and in 2016 it decreased to 0.6/10,000, whereas in 2017 there were no cases of filariasis 9. The study aimed to determine mosquitoes abundance and describe mosquitoes breeding sites. The correlation between mosquitoes and their breeding sites is important for understanding the risk of Annals of Tropical Medicine & Public Health http://doi.org/10.36295/ASRO.2021.24147 Wigati et al (2021): Potential breeding filariasis vector Jan 2021 Vol. 24 Issue 01 disease transmission to apply appropriate mosquito management. These are important steps in characterizing the risk of transmission and consequences of vector-borne diseases. Subjects and Methods Data collection was carried out two times using exploration method for one month interval, in September and October 2017. The study sites were 2 filariasis endemic villages namely Bonelalo Village, Lasalimu Sub-district and Mabulugo Village, Kapontori Sub-district. Each potential habitat was surveyed to find mosquito breeding sites at a radius of ± 1 km from the house of patients identified positive in finger blood test. The collection of mosquito larvae was done by dipper, trays and pipettes. Types of mosquito breeding sites were then recorded and grouped in terms of habitat and location for data collection. Data on vector mosquito abundance were collected using a modified human landing collection method inside mosquito nets. Catching mosquitoes was carried out by 3 catchers inside mosquito nets inside the house and 3 catchers inside mosquito nets outside the house that were different in each village. Mosquito nets used consisted of 2 mosquito nets namely outdoor open mosquito nets and an inside mosquito net that was smaller than an outdoor mosquito net. Human bait was placed in a mosquito net inside. Every ten minutes, a mosquito catcher came out of mosquito net inside to catch mosquitoes that were between two mosquito nets. Mosquitoes that were collected then identified using a dissecting microscope and mosquito identification key book. The data on mosquito breeding places and potential habitats were analyzed descriptively while mosquito abundance data were analyzed by adding up all mosquitoes which were collected in every village. Results a. Potential habitat and mosquito breeding sites Based on results, there were six potential habitats and nine breeding sites in two study villages (Table 1).In Bonelalo, there were 7 (seven) types of mosquito breeding sites that was in different habitats. Bonelalo is located on East Coast of Buton which is closed to Banda Sea. The beaches in Bonelalo are coral and rocky. The beach full of sludge substrate mixed with sand which is located near by estuary and the vegetation dominated by mangroves. Residents were concentrated on South Coast, while areas that are more inland are usually used as fields and gardens. Gardens around Bonelalo residents, planted cashew, areca nut, and coconut trees. While the fields are planted with cassava, vegetables and watermelon. In the West of residents, there was a hill whose vegetation was dominated by big and heterogeneous trees. Behind the hill, there is a spring whose stream becomes a ditch that leads to Southern Coast. During heavy rain, water pressure was increasing. In the North of village, which is 500 metre, there is a river by flowing water. Water flow comes out from the forest to the East Cost where there were mangrove forests. Fields resident were not only found around the village, but some were far from.