The distribution and abundance of species of the Anopheles funestus group (Diptera : Culicidae) in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa : short communications

Anopheles funestus has long been recognized as a species complex containing both vectors and non-vectors of malaria (Gillies & De Meillon 1968). The sibling species can be separated with difficulty using morphological characters. A multiplex PCR assay was developed recently that accurately identifies the five most common members of the An. funestus group (Koekemoer et al. 2002). The correct identification of a sibling species within a species complex that contains both vectors and non-vectors is crucial in the clarification of the role of each individual species in malaria transmission (Garros et al. 2004). Anopheles funestus s.s. is known to be the most anthropophilic and endophilic member of the group and a highly efficient vector of malaria in Africa (Gillies & De Meillon 1968). The other species of the group are mainly zoophilic and only An. rivulorum has been found to be a minor malaria vector in Tanzania (Wilkes et al. 1996).