ABSTRACT The present study aimed identifying the behavioral patterns of Anopheles species as well as to estimate the parity rate and natural infection analysis for Plasmodium species in the district of Ilha de Santana, state of Amapá, Brazil. The samples were obtained in four and 12-hours collections. In the intradomiciliary and peridomiciliary conditions and also in environments with the presence of animals from January/2017 to December/2018. The entomological parameters evaluated were human biting rate (HBR); Indexes of Anthropophily (IA) and Zoophily (IZ); Parity Rate (PR); Natural Infection Rate (NIR); Monthly and annual entomological inoculation rate (EIR). A total of 1,330 Anopheles specimens were collected, distributed in nine species. All captured species showed preference biting in outdoor enviroment. Anopheles darlingi was the most frequent species collected in indoor environment and the most anthropophilic (IA = 0.39) compared with the remaining species captured. It was also the unique species positive for Plasmodium vivax, had the highest anthropophily degree, highest biting activity and HBR in the first hours with a hight rate of parous females. Anopheles nuneztovari s.l. was the most zoophilic species (IZ = 0.65). These findings suggest that A. darlingi is the main malaria vector in the studied area. Anopheles albitarsis s.l. was the second species more anthropophilic (IA = 0.31) and revealed a stable pattern with a biting activity peak after sunset, consequently this species may contribute with malaria transmission in area.

Introduction The diverse and complex environmental conditions of the Amazon Basin favor the breeding and development of Anopheles species. This study aimed to describe the composition, abundance and temporal frequency of Anopheles species and to correlate these factors with precipitation, temperature and relative humidity. Methods The study was conducted in the District of Coração, State of Amapá, Brazil. Samples were collected monthly during three consecutive nights, from 6:00 PM to 10:00 PM, from December 2010 to November 2011. In addition, four 12-hour collections (i.e., 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM) were performed during this period. Results A total of 1,230 Anopheles specimens were collected. In the monthly collections, Anopheles darlingi was the predominant species, followed by An. braziliensis and An. albitarsis s.l., whereas An. darlingi, An. peryassui and An. braziliensis were the most frequent species collected in the 12-hour collections. The greatest number of anophelines was collected in September (the dry season). The highest frequency of anophelines was observed for An. darlingi during September, when there were the least rainfalls of the year, along with lower relative humidity and higher temperatures. There was little variation in the abundance of this species in other months, with the exception of slight increases in February, July and August. Conclusions The major malaria vectors, An. darlingi and An. albitarsis s.l. (likely An. marajoara), were the most abundant species collected in the study area. Consequently, prevention and control measures should be taken to prevent malaria outbreaks in the District of Coração.