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Mosquitoes of Osogbo Metropolis, Osun, Nigeria were sampled using the Centre for Disease Control light
trap (model 512) while maternal malaria in the area was investigated using standard parasitological
techniques. A total number of 16, 617 mosquitoes representing five genera Aedes, Anopheles, Culex,
Eretmaphodites and Mansonia were captured and identified in the study using identification keys and
Polymerase Chain Reaction. The incriminated 12 species in decreasing order of abundance were Mansonia
africana 4,851 (29.19%), Anopheles gambiae 3,204 (19.28%), Mansonia uniformis 3,008 (18.10%),
Anopheles funestus 1,922 (11.57%), Anopheles moucheti 1,102 (6.63%), Culex pipiens quiquefasciatus 805
(4.84%), Anopheles nili 707 (4.25%), Eretmapodites chrysogaster 702 (4.22%), Culex annulioris 214
(1.29%), Anopheles rhodesiensis 45 (0.27%), Aedes aegypti 38 (0.23%) and Anopheles squamosus 19
(0.11%). Investigations on maternal malaria showed high prevalence rate (68.92%) while parasite isolation
progressively decreased (from > 5 months) with advancing age of pregnancy. Infection rate did not vary
significantly (P> 0.05) with the age of the woman, but pregnant women (aged > 40 years) were most
infected. Consistent use of insecticide-treated mosquito bed nets significantly reduced Plasmodium
infection (P<0.05). Incriminated mosquito species suggest possibilities of serious public health problems in
the area. Although Plasmodium malariae (0.89%) was implicated in the study, but Plasmodium falciparum
was the predominant (99.1%) species in the area and this has implications for maternal complications in the
area. Based on the outcome of the study, consistent use of treated bed nets as a preventative measure
against maternal malaria is recommended.
Keywords: Mosquitoes, complications, bed nets.