Anopheles arabiensis

Anopheles arabiensis is one of the three dominant vector species within the An. gambiae complex. It remains a principal vector of malaria across much of Africa besides An. gambiae s.s. and Anopheles funestus. It has an extensive range in drier environments that extends into arid areas south of the Sahara, Horn of Africa, and savannah of Namibia. Its larval habitats range from small, temporary, sunlit clear and shallow fresh water pools to stagnant and turbid water bodies with or without vegetation, rice fields, and a variety of natural and manmade habitats. Anopheles arabiensis demonstrates high behavioral variation with regard to host preference and biting behavior, which may vary depending on the geographic locale, host availabilities, and local genotypes. It generally bites indoor during the night (usually begins at 19.00 and/or 03.00 h) and tends to have early -exit behavior regardless of the source of its meal, which makes it (partially) endophagic and exophilic. [GRAPHICS] .