An entomological survey is planned in an Indian city where malaria transmission persists despite good rural control. Which mosquito species is the principal urban malaria vector in India?
- A Anopheles culicifacies
- B Anopheles stephensi ✓
- C Anopheles fluviatilis
- D Anopheles minimus
Correct answer: B. Anopheles stephensi
Explanation
Anopheles stephensi breeds in man-made water collections such as overhead tanks, cisterns and construction sites, making it the dominant vector of urban malaria in India. Anopheles culicifacies is the major rural vector, while fluviatilis and minimus are hill and forest-foot-hill vectors respectively. This urban-rural vector distinction guides the choice of larval source management versus indoor residual spraying in different settings.
Reference: Park's Textbook of Preventive and Social Medicine, 27th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
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