Rift Valley fever vector diversity and impact of meteorological and environmental factors on Culex pipiens dynamics in the Okavango Delta, Botswana

A study on the Okavango Delta, Botswana, reveals that Culex pipiens is the dominant mosquito species, accounting for nearly 70% of captures, with its population dynamics significantly influenced by temperature, rainfall, and flooding levels. The research, conducted between 2011 and 2012 using CO₂-baited net traps, identified 32 mosquito species but detected no Rift Valley Fever (RVF) virus in pooled samples. A mechanistic model demonstrated that local rainfall and flooding accurately represented the spatial distribution of Cx. pipiens abundance, with temperature being the primary driver for its global population dynamics. The study suggests that peaks in mosquito abundance, particularly from March to May, could indicate periods of higher RVF risk, providing a basis for targeted surveillance and control strategies.

Pachka, H., Annelise, T., Alan, K., Power, T., Patrick, K., Véronique, C., Janusz, P., & Ferran, J. (2016). Rift Valley fever vector diversity and impact of meteorological and environmental factors on Culex pipiens dynamics in the Okavango Delta, Botswana. Parasites & Vectors, 9(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13071-016-1712-1