Abstract:
Malaria control efforts have significantly reduced disease burden, however primarily
focus on primary malaria vectors, potentially overlooking the impact of secondary and suspected
species. This narrow focus, coupled with the emergence of insecticide resistance in primary vectors
and changes in their behavior, necessitates the exploration of alternative control strategies.
Additionally, water resource development projects, while crucial for agriculture, can alter mosquito
breeding sites, creating new challenges for malaria transmission. This study investigates the seasonal
availability of larval habitats and mosquito abundance in irrigated sugar cane plantations to identify
potential targets for larval control. Understanding the role of Thioester-containing protein 1 (TEP1),
a key component of mosquito immunity, is crucial for developing effective and sustainable malaria
control strategies by informing the development of novel interventions that target mosquito immune
systems
