- Anopheles darlingi is the primary vector of malaria in the Amazon Basin and much of South and Central America, making it one of the most important mosquito species in terms of public health in the Western Hemisphere.
- This species is highly efficient at transmitting Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax, the two main malaria parasites affecting humans. Due to its broad ecological range, strong anthropophilic behavior, and capacity to adapt to environmental changes, An. darlingi plays a central role in sustaining malaria transmission in tropical and subtropical regions of Latin America.
- Morphologically, An. darlingi is a large, dark-colored mosquito with pale bands on its legs and a distinctive speckled wing pattern typical of Anopheles mosquitoes. Like others in its genus, it rests at an angle to the surface with its abdomen pointing upward, a characteristic posture that differentiates it from other mosquito genera. While easily identified at the genus level, distinguishing An. darlingi from other regional species requires expert examination or molecular tools, especially when conducting surveillance in areas with high mosquito diversity.
- Ecologically, An. darlingi is highly adaptable and is found in a wide variety of habitats, ranging from deep forest to peri-urban and rural settings. Its larval habitats are typically sunlit, clean, and slow-moving or stagnant bodies of water, such as river margins, flooded areas, lakeshores, and human-made water reservoirs. Larval development is influenced by rainfall and flooding patterns, with populations typically surging during and after the rainy season. In some areas, however, the species exhibits year-round activity, particularly where aquatic habitats are stable or human-made.
- One of the most concerning features of An. darlingi is its strong preference for human blood (anthropophily) and its tendency to feed indoors (endophagy) and rest indoors (endophily), although this behavior can vary by region and population. This flexibility in feeding and resting behavior allows the mosquito to evade common vector control methods such as indoor residual spraying (IRS) and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs) in areas where behavioral resistance (i.e., shifting to outdoor biting) develops. The peak biting activity of An. darlingi typically occurs after dusk and before midnight, but in some regions, it can extend into the early morning hours, increasing the likelihood of human-vector contact.
- The species’ high vectorial capacity—the ability to sustain and amplify malaria transmission—is due in part to its longevity, high biting rate, and susceptibility to Plasmodium parasites. These traits make even relatively small populations of An. darlingi capable of sustaining malaria transmission in endemic regions. Because of this, even minor ecological or behavioral changes that lead to population increases or shifts in feeding habits can have major implications for malaria outbreaks.
- Malaria control efforts targeting An. darlingi face several challenges. First, the mosquito’s adaptability to environmental changes, including deforestation, agricultural expansion, and dam construction, can create new breeding habitats and bring human populations into closer contact with mosquito populations. Second, insecticide resistance, although less documented than in African vectors, is an emerging concern, especially as vector control programs rely heavily on chemical interventions. Moreover, because An. darlingi often breeds in large, natural water bodies, traditional larval source management can be difficult or ineffective.
- Recent research has focused on genetic and behavioral diversity within An. darlingi populations, which may help explain regional variations in vector competence and response to control measures. Advances in genomic sequencing, spatial modeling, and entomological surveillance are being used to better understand and predict the behavior and distribution of An. darlingi across Latin America.
