Tests for the existence of genetic variability in the tendency of Anopheles culicifacies species B to rest in houses and to bite man.

Experiments were carried out in Sri Lanka on the malaria vector Anopheles culicifacies using the mark-release-recapture technique. Collections were made in cattle-baited huts fitted with exit traps, and in nightbiting catches on human subjects. The same individual mosquitos were caught biting cattle and man on different occasions and the numbers caught demonstrated an overall preference for the cattle. The mean interval between successive blood meals in the field was estimated to be 2.3 days.Following blood-feeding on a cow in a hut, A. culicifacies were found to rest in the hut for 1 or 2 days, whereas A. subpictus and A. varuna generally exited on the night of feeding or on the following night. The same individual A. culicifacies were recorded resting in a hut for 1 or 2 days on different occasions. The apparent absence of genetic variability in host choice or indoor resting behaviour is considered encouraging for the prospects of control of malaria transmitted by A. culicifacies.