Household survey of dengue and chikungunya vectors (Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus) (Diptera: Culicidae) in Tirunelveli district, Tamil Nadu, India

To investigate the prevalence of breeding habitats and seasonality in the preference of habitats of dengue and chikungunya vectors in Tirunelveli district, 12 villages were selected by random sampling method. A door-to-door survey was carried out between October 2013 to September 2014 in houses and peri-domestic areas to detect habitats preferred by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus with a view to study their prevalence, using the WHO standard techniques. The Aedes larval indices were calculated, and the larvae were identified by using taxonomic keys. A total of 5245 Aedes larvae were collected from 4010 container habitats. The Aedes larval indices (HI, CI, and BI) recorded were greater in wet season.