ABSTRACT

Objective: Previous mosquito surveys performed in the Federation of St Kitts and Nevis identified Anopheles albimanus in Nevis but there is no recorded occurrence of this mosquito in St Kitts. To determine the presence of this and other species in St Kitts and Nevis, a mosquito survey was conducted.

Methods: Surveys were performed in two phases – the dry season (March 16–23, 2010, in St Kitts), and the rainy season (October 18–25, 2010) in St Kitts and Nevis. BG Sentinel™mosquito traps baited with BG Lure® and CO2 were set in a variety of habitats (urban, rural, semi-urban, dry forest and mangrove). Identification was performed using morphological keys.

Results: The most abundant species during both phases were Culex quinquefasciatus, Aedes taeniorhynchus and Aedes aegypti. A new record for St Kitts was Anopheles albimanus which was trapped during the rainy season near a mangrove site.

Conclusion: This is the first time a potential malaria vector has been identified in St Kitts.