The present study identifies species composition and breeding preferences of Aedes mosquitoes in container habitats of selected urban localities in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Pakistan. Sampling was carried out from 6 sites including Shoba Bazar, Railway Road, Charsadda Road, Kohat Road, Tehkal Payan and Peshawar University Campus. Monthly sampling of mosquito immature was conducted from October 2011 to September 2012. Total of 2852 adult mosquitoes emerged after rearing, consisting of three genera and five species; Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus, Culex quinquefasciatus, Culex tritaeniorhynchus and Anopheles stephensi. Aedes was the dominant genus followed by Culex and Anopheles. University campus and Tehkal showed the highest species diversity; the former had the highest species richness while later presented the highest species evenness compared to other localities. Ae. aegypti was not demonstrated in the collection from December to March and in May. Ae. albopictus was recorded in October, April, August and September. Highest abundance of Ae. aegypti was recorded in October corresponding to the lowest average humidity levels whereas Ae. albopictus peaked on September parallel to increased humidity. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus populations showed no significant associations with environmental variables during the study. Immatures of Aedes were recovered from tyres, mud pots, plastic cans, metallic drums and ceramic pots. Tyres were the most productive habitat for Aedes breeding preference ratio (BPR = 1.31) followed by plastic cans (BPR = 1.23). Findings from study pave means for the development and implementation of sustainable dengue control measures through vector management.
