Introduction
Malaria remains a public health problem in the Brazilian Amazon. Understanding the spatiotemporal dynamics of vectors is essential for identifying areas at higher risk of transmission. This study evaluated ecological aspects of anopheline populations in two endemic communities in the municipality of Santo Antônio do Içá, Amazonas.
Methods
The study was conducted in the communities of Vila Alterosa Juí (Juí) and Vila Pinheiro Palestina do Juí (Pinheiro). Entomological collections were carried out in 2025 using protected human landing catches (PHLC) in intra- and peridomiciliary environments. The total sampling effort was 720 hours of collection. Indicators were analyzed, including abundance, human biting rate (HBR), and hematophagic activity, as well as their relationship with environmental variables and local epidemiological data.
Results
A total of 13,070 mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles were collected, with predominance of Anopheles darlingi (99.97%). Heterogeneity between communities was observed despite the short geographic distance. The highest mosquito abundance was recorded in Pinheiro, whereas Juí showed lower and more stable densities during the collections. The mean human biting rate was 18.15 mosquitoes/person-hour, reaching values above 28 mosquitoes/person-hour in the peridomicile of Pinheiro. Hematophagic activity showed a distinct pattern between the localities. In Pinheiro, a bimodal pattern was observed, with peaks during the early evening and around midnight, whereas in Juí the activity was more homogeneous.
Conclusions
The results highlight spatial heterogeneity in vector abundance and biting intensity between nearby communities, reinforcing the focal nature of malaria transmission in the region. The predominance of Anopheles darlingi and the pattern of hematophagic activity indicate critical periods of human exposure. This study helps reduce knowledge gaps on vector ecology in the Upper Solimões and provides support for strengthening entomological surveillance and guiding control strategies adapted to Amazonian communities.
