Gene

Artemisinin

Malaria

Engineering

Ecology

Biology

Crepuscular

Indoor residual spraying

Anopheles gambiae

Biochemistry

Vector (molecular biology)

Environmental health

Plasmodium falciparum

Nocturnal

Immunology

Health services

Toxicology

Population

Gametocyte

Malaria prevention

Medicine

Transmission (telecommunications)

Anopheles

Mosquito control

Recombinant DNA

Biting

Electrical engineering

Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences

Significance Transmission of malarial parasites occurs via the bites of Anopheles mosquitoes, whose blood-feeding behavior modulates the risk of infection. In many malaria endemic regions, eradication strategies rely on reducing transmission by targeting nocturnal blood-feeding Anopheles with insecticidal nets. However, a proportion of mosquitoes may naturally feed when humans are not protected by nets, setting a ceiling to the efficacy of massive net-based interventions. In Bangui, Central African Republic, 20 to 30% of daily exposure to indoor bites occurs during daytime, and this fraction may correspond to mosquitoes escaping exposure to current vector control measures. Knowledge about the daily rhythmicity of mosquito biting is therefore crucial to adjust vector control tactics to protect people at places where they spend daytime.

Diurnal biting of malaria mosquitoes in the Central African Republic indicates residual transmission may be “out of control”