Student Research Reports

Mosquito breeding habitats are commonly associated with standing water in residential areas, and environmental conditions may vary between urban and rural settings. This study aimed to compare mosquito larval occurrence and water quality between urban and rural residential areas in Krabi Province, Thailand. The study was conducted in Pak Nam Subdistrict (urban area) and Ban Khok Yang Community (rural area). Data were collected during December and January, representing the late rainy and early cool seasons. Water-holding containers were surveyed, and mosquito larvae were collected and identified using reference guides. Water quality parameters, including pH, dissolved oxygen, temperature, and salinity, were measured at each sampling site. The results showed differences in mosquito larval occurrence between urban and rural residential areas, with a higher occurrence observed in the rural area. Differences in dissolved oxygen levels were also observed between the two areas, while other water quality parameters showed similar ranges. Additionally, water bodies with mosquito larvae generally exhibited lower dissolved oxygen levels compared to those without larvae. These findings indicate variations in environmental conditions and water characteristics between urban and rural residential areas that may be associated with mosquito larval habitats based on the variables examined in this study.