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Abstract

Mosquito ecology is influenced by wetness in the environment.In 2011-2014, a rise in waters of Lake Baringo resulted in unprecedented flooding that inundated over 88km 2 of the shoreline.A longitudinal study carried out from October 2012-October 2013 assessed mosquito abundance and diversity in two habitats.A total of 386,624 mosquitoes were captured, 89% from flooded shoreline and 11% from swampy habitat.Family Culicinae constituted 10 genera.Mansonia dominated the catches with 98% from flooded shoreline and swampy habitat 2%.Genetic sequences of Aedes albopictus species was identified and reported for the first time in the basin.Diversity index was higher in swampy habitat (Simpson Diversity Index=0.56), compared to flooded shoreline (Simpson diversity index =0.13).Future recurring floods will result in drastic changes of the ecology and could lead to emergence and reemergence of more species.