Abstract:

A monthly entomological survey was carried out in five rural communities; (Oboburu, Obite, Omoku, Erema and Ahoadah) all in Orashi region of Rivers State in Niger Delta zone of Nigeria for a period of six months. The aim of this survey was to carry out molecular characterization of Malaria vectors present in the study area. In each of the selected villages, mosquitoes were sampled from ten houses by pyrethrum spray collection method (PSC). The collected mosquitoes were sorted morphologically and identified using standard dichotomous taxonomy keys followed by preservation for molecular genotyping. DNA extraction was done using Collins method 1987 where each mosquito was treated individually. The PCR results of the study showed that, Anopheles specie present in the area of study was predominantly An. gambiae sensu stricto (s.s). The result of this study revealed that malaria vectors are predominant in the study area. Adequate preventive measure should be kept in place in other to reduce the heavy transmission of malaria in the study area.