Spatial distribution modeling of Stegomyia aegypti and Culex tritaeniorhynchus (Diptera: Culicidae) in Al-bahah Province, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.

Dengue hemorrhagic fever and Rift Valley fever are the most important mosquitoborne diseases in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. The characteristic habitat requirements of Stegomyia aegypti and Culex tritaeniorhynchus, the two mosquito vectors will help in the identification of "high risk" areas in their development. Species distribution modelling was assessed by using MaxEnt software combined with geographical information systems (GIS) to predict suitable larval habitats for these two vectors and develop potential risk maps that can be used for their targeted control. Climate and topographical data layers from Worldclim and larval occurrence records were used to model these two vectors. The results showed that suitable habitats of St. aegypti are widely distributed only in the central region and Cx. tritaeniorhynchus were in the central and southwestern parts of Al-Bahah Province. The highest predictive power was shown by topographical variables in St. aegypti modeling and the minor contributions were shown by precipitation and temperature related variables. The maximum contribution was shown by temperature related variables and minor contribution was shown by topographical and precipitation related variables in Cx. tritaeniorhynchus modeling. Linear regression model indicates non significant correlation between TDS/pH and species abundance of these two mosquitoes.