Mosquito Species Diversity and Breeding Habitats in Urban Environments of Katsina, North West Nigeria

This study surveys mosquito species diversity and characterises breeding habitats in Katsina metropolis, Katsina State, located in Nigeria's North West geopolitical zone. Katsina experiences seasonal malaria and arboviral disease transmission, and knowledge of local mosquito vector species composition and breeding site distribution is essential for targeted vector control programmes. Larval habitats were surveyed in 80 residential compounds and public areas, and larvae collected were reared to adults for species identification. Adult mosquitoes were sampled using pyrethrum spray collection and human-landing catches over three months. Habitat characteristics including water type, shade, vegetation, and duration were recorded. Fourteen mosquito species from four genera were identified. Anopheles gambiae sensu lato was the most abundant species and the primary malaria vector. Culex quinquefasciatus dominated in urban waterlogged sites and drains, while Aedes aegypti was concentrated in artificial water storage containers in residential compounds. Breeding habitats were dominated by open drainage channels (44%), water storage containers (28%), and construction site pools (18%). Container-breeding Aedes densities were highest in compounds with inadequate water storage infrastructure. The study identifies specific high-risk breeding hotspots for targeted indoor residual spraying and larval source management and recommends a community education campaign on water container management to reduce Aedes aegypti breeding in Katsina city. Keywords: mosquito diversity, breeding habitats, Katsina, malaria vectors, Aedes aegypti.