Student Research Reports
Mosquito breeding site characterization (density, water quality, natural attractants) of Barangay Igang, Pototan, Philippines
Organization(s):Philippine Science High School Western Visayas Campus
Country:Philippines
Student(s):Raymond T. Borres
Francine T. Tarrazona
Grade Level:Secondary School (grades 9-12, ages 14-18)
GLOBE Educator(s):Aris Larroder
Contributors:
Report Type(s):International Virtual Science Symposium Report, Mission Mosquito Report
Protocols:Conductivity, Dissolved Oxygen, Mosquitoes, Salinity, pH
Presentation Poster:
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Language(s):English
Date Submitted:03/10/2020
Mosquitoes are vectors that transmit pathogens that cause diseases such as dengue, malaria, and Zika fever. The range of the transmission of the pathogens is rapidly expanding in a geographic range which becomes a threat to public health. In the Philippines, dengue has the most reported cases which total to 100,000 cases in the first 6 months of the year 2019. In Iloilo Province, Pototan of Central Philippines has the most reported dengue cases with 1,452 cases. As a response, the mosquito habitats in one of the villages in Pototan were characterized based on the possible mosquito attractants as well as the mosquito larval density. This is to identify the causes of the frequent mosquito appearances in the area as well as to remove from the area and properly dispose of the mosquito larvae with the aim to remove the threat to public health caused by the presence of mosquitoes. The environmental variables, chemical and physical characteristics were measured with respect to larval habitats. The mosquito larval density and species were identified using the GLOBE Mosquito Protocol while the mosquito habitats were characterized based on the water quality and the plant species within the vicinity of the habitat. A total of seven sites were identified within the area that was positive for mosquito larval presence during the dry parts of the year. The site with the highest larval density had 113 larvae, 7 pupae, and 2 eggs. The oxygen concentrations in the water samples decreased as the number of larvae in the habitat increased. The dominant plant species that were within the proximity of the site was Annona muricata and Dracaena reflexa. Both the Annona muricata and Dracaena reflexa contain high phenolic content which is considered as strong mosquito attractants.