Increase of vector borne diseases in India has posed a question on the situation at Lakshadweep (LD) islands, where vector borne diseases are reported. In the current investigation, the faunastic studies as well as breeding places have been investigated in ten islands such as Kavaratti, Agatti, Chetlat, Bitra, Amini, Kadmath, Kiltan, Andrott, Kalpeni and Minicoy of the Lakshadweep islands from November 2017 to Jan 2018. The study indicated that Aedesaegypti, Aedesalbopicta has been a common vector in all the ten islands. Apart from that, we observed the vectors of Malaria and Japanese encephalitis such as Anopheles stephensi,Anopheles (Cellia) varunaand Culex tritaeniorhynchus. Particularly, in Kalpeni, Mansoniauniformis which transmits Brugianfilariasis has been observed. Further, many non-vector species such as Anopheles (Cellia) subpictus, Culex (Culex) sitiens, Heizmannia (Heizmannia), Fredwardiusvittatus, Malaya genurostris, Lutzia (Metalutzia) fuscanahas been recorded in all the islands. All the entomological indices such as BI, HI, CI were calculated and it was found very high in most islands. The following breeding sites were recorded which supported various mosquito species: discarded plastic containers, tree hole,  open sintex tank, unused well, discarded tyre, discarded iron pot, unused boat, cement tank, pleated plastic sheet, coral hole, pit and irrigation canal, discarded washing machine, Colocasiaplant leaf axil, damaged boat, and cement tank. There are 13 confirmed Dengue cases in Amini island where we found Stegomyiaalbopicta is present but Stegomyiaaegyptiwas absent. Further, 3 Malaria cases (by Plasmodium falciparum imported cases) in Kiltan, is reported, interestingly, in KiltanAnopheles varuna is present. This is the first surveillance study at LD to such an extent. The global change in climate increases the dynamics of vector and non-vector species at islands.  With the reported cases of VBDs and vectors in LD, a stringent control measure needs to be implemented.

Keywords: Lakshadweep islands, Vector borne diseases, Vector surveillance