Revised morphological identification key to the larval anopheline (Diptera: Culicidae) of Sri Lanka

• Published in: Asian Pacific Journal of Tropical Biomedicine
• Main Authors: Nayana Gunathilaka, Thilan Fernando, Menaka Hapugoda, Wimaladharma Abeyewickreme, Rajitha Wickremasinghe
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2014
• Subjects: Anopheline; Immature; Mosquitoes; Control; Keys; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Biology (General); QH301-705.5; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.12980/APJTB.4.2014C941; https://doaj.org/article/b08245f2b6be44b88240604f24736b0e

Objective: To revise morphological identification keys to the anophelines in Sri Lanka. Method: Samples were collected from selected entomological sites in different districts in the country. Stage III and IV larvae were identified under a light microscope with an objective (× 10) using standard larval keys developed for Sri Lankan anophelines. Key larval characters were recorded for each species based on original observations and previous usage in literature. Results: This manuscript describes an illustrated key for the identification of 22 of 23 mosquitoes which are currently recognized as local anopheline species in Sri Lanka, as a guide to workers engaged in malaria surveillance and control in the country. Conclusions: Revised morphological keys to the larval of these species may be helpful in easy and accurate identification at the field level.