Insect Vectors Associated to Dumpsites in Gombe Metropolis, Nigeria, Western Africa

Insects are a very diverse group of organisms that play a very great and crucial role in the survival
and wellbeing of humans and other organisms. Several insect groups are vectors of diseases,
transmitting pathogens among humans and other animals. Insects are found in diverse environment
including dumpsites. This study was conducted to determine the insect vectors living in refuse dumps
at Gombe Metropolis in Gombe State, Nigeria. The metropolis were divided into four longitudinal
zones, and in each zone three dumpsites were randomly selected. Visual observations were used to
estimate the composition of the refuse dumps. The study was conducted in Gombe metropolis of
Gombe state between the months of May and August, 2018. Sweep nets, sticky traps, water traps
and handpicking were used to collect the different vector species. Specimen collected were preserved
and transported to the laboratory for identification. Standard Identification keys were used for the
identification of the vectors. The compositions of the refuse dumps varied from vegetable matter and
animal remains to assorted materials including used tyres, electronic parts, cartons, faecal matter,
broken bottles, polythene bags. A total of 464 insect vectors belonging to 9 species were collected.
Musca domestica 282(60.8%) was the dominant species, followed by Anopheles spp 55(11.9%) and
Aedes species 44(9.4%). Periplaneta americana accounts 37(8.0%) of the collections. The thriving
population of these vector species and the abundance of putrefying refuse dumps are risk factors of
the endemic diseases transmitted by such vectors in the city. In view of these findings, it is expedient
to properly dispose refuse to curtail the possibility of outbreak of vector-borne diseases.