The stage-specific and age-specific survivorship of the immature stages of Anopheles gambiae Giles s. l. were studied in Baringo District Kenya, using vertical life-table methods.
Survivorship from first instar to adult emergence was 0.085, giving a mortality of 91.5% during the rainy season. However, survivorship dropped to zero (100% mortality) in the dry season.
Mortality was most severe in the first and second instars in all cases. Mean life expectancy increased significantly for larvae that survived beyond the first 3 days of life. Suspected predators of mosquito pre-imagines in the breeding sites were collected and counted. From their large numbers and diversity it was inferred that predation was probablyan important mortality factor.
