Table 1

Exercises on mosquito biology, ecology and management which were added to the agricultural topics of the Farmer Field School curriculum.

Exercise

Methods

Purpose

1 Agro-ecosystem analysis

Comprehensive sampling of the crop ecosystem (using soup spoons, visual counts, plant measurements, etc.) and visual presentation and analysis

To monitor the agro-ecosystem and make context-specific decisions on necessary action related to crop production and human health

2 Mosquito breeding habitat

Dipper sampling in, and characterization of, various aquatic habitats of mosquito genera

To study where different mosquito genera breed

3 Adult mosquito sampling

Collecting adult mosquitoes at different times and habitats and identify major genera, i.a. using home-made aspirators

To monitor potential disease vectors and their activity

4 Mosquito lifecycle

Rearing of young larvae in water jar covered with mesh

To understand the relation between maggot, pupae and adult, and the development time

5 Mosquito identification

Observing larval behaviour and adult characteristics

To distinguish Anopheles, Aedes and Culex in the larval and adult stage

6 Predation

Exposing larvae or pupae to a range of arthropods inside jars

To understand the role of predators in controlling mosquito developmental stages

7 Analogy on disease cycle

Role play on the cycle of the parasite through human and mosquito hosts

To understand the role of the vector and the human reservoir

8 Agricultural methods to suppress mosquito breeding

Alternate wet-dry irrigation of study field plots; land levelling at planting

To study how farmer practices influence mosquito breeding and crop development

9 Source reduction

Farmer action to drain or fill water bodies, including in the peri-domestic environment

To practice measures to contain vector breeding

10 Mapping

Drawing map of village environment with water bodies, crops, houses, etc.

To facilitate planning for coordinated action on environmental management

van den Berg and Knols Malaria Journal 2006 5:3   doi:10.1186/1475-2875-5-3