Student Research Reports
CLIMATIC CHANGE IMPLICATIONS ON GEOSPATIAL DISTRIBUTION AND MORPHOLOGY OF MOSQUITO LARVAE FOR MALARIA CONTROL
Organization(s):St. Peter's Unity Secondary School
Country:Nigeria
Student(s):1) Favour Semudara
2) Goodness Morakinyo
3) Dominion Oloda
4) Semire Victor
5) Princewill Orungbemi
6) Nneka Obigwu
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Teacher:Olawunmi Fasakin
Contributors:1. Mr. Olawale Oluwafemi, a GLOBE Scientist, Department of Geography and Planning, University of Toledo, Toledo, Ohio, United States.
2. Dr. A.A. Komolafe, Department of Remote Sensing and Geoscience Information System, Federal University of Technology, Akure, Nigeria.
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report
Protocols:Air Temperature, Mosquitoes, pH, Water Temperature
Presentation Poster:
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Optional Badges:I am a Collaborator, I am an Engineer, I work with a STEM Professional
Language(s):English
Date Submitted:03/11/2022
Remote Sensing technology and geospatial distribution of mosquito larvae were applied to identify morphological features with respect to larval development sites for malaria control in ‘SPUSSA’ community, Akure, Nigeria. The objectives are to carry out land use classification, locate breeding sites, collect samples of larvae, identify different parts of mosquito larva, and assess physico-chemical properties of the habitat.
Larval survey was carried out in nine breeding sites. Three sites from the Girls’ hostels, two from the Boy’s hostels, while four are within the Staff Quarters. The larvae collection was done within six weeks. Various parts were identified and photographed using the micro-clip on lens attached to an android camera phone with installed GLOBE Observer app. Landsat 8 was acquired from USGS Earth Explorer for the study area. MultiSpec software was used to carry out unsupervised land use classification for the study area.
The study identified seven different land use class types. The results also reveal that morphological features of mosquito larvae are divided into three main parts – head, thorax and abdominal segments. Three larvae genera were identified which are Aedes, Culex and Anopheles species. Other important features studied and identified include siphon, anal segment, pecten, saddle, caudal hair and anal brush. A total of 198 mosquito larvae were sampled. The data shows a total of 5 Anopheles (3%), 90 Aedes (45%) and 103 Culex (52%) larvae by proportion. Hence, Culex is the most abundant. Certain climatic parameters contributed to the survival of these larvae. The parameters measured from the sites are water temperature ranging from 27.0 – 28.90C, air temperature ranging from 28.6 – 300C and pH ranging from 7.1 – 7.5. It is necessary to develop control strategies that will target the vector species. Therefore, effective vector control programmes on human activities that encourage mosquito breeding are recommended.
Keywords: Remote sensing, Anopheles, Aedes, Culex, climatic parameters