Anopheles gambiae and A. melas at Brefet, The Gambia, and their role in malaria transmission

Anopheles melas and A. gambiae were studied at the village of Brefet, The Gambia. The population density of A. gambiae varied according to the rainfall. However, this was not so with A. melas, the highest densities of which occurred after the cessation of the rains. The sporozoite rate averaged 3.5% in A. gambiae but only 0.35% in A. melas. Possible causes of these differences are discussed.