Observations on the bioecology of Anopheles melas in a coastal lagoon area, Benin, West Africa

A. melas behaviour has been analysed and compared to A. gambiae. Malaria transmission parameters have been measured, essentially the exophagy, the blood meal index, the longevity and resting places. The hypothesis according to which the A. melas low vectorial capacity would be due to its low longevity cannot be accepted in our study area; the rates of parturity calculated are very close for both species. In the study area, zoophagic tendencies of A. melas are very important. -after English summary