Abstract: The epidemic characteristics of falciparum malaria in Xinyang Prefecture of south Henan Province between 31-33°N were analysed basing upon the epidemiological surveys of malaria carried out during the period 1954-84. This area is endemic for vivax and falciparum malaria, the annual malaria parasite rates in local inhabitants varied between 5% and 10%, falciparum malaria or vivax malaria prevailed or coexisted in the past decades. In the 1950's a falciparum malaria outbreak occurred in the west part, since then only two small falciparum malaria outbreaks were reported in the east part in early 1970's. The parasite rate of malaria rose up to 37.9% (P. falciparum .56.7%) in Huzu District of Gushi County in 1974. Since successful malaria control there were only two carriers of P. falciparum in the whole prefecture. However, the parasite rate rose again and it was 24.8% (P. falciparum 79.0%) in Wangliu District of Gushi County in 1984. Recent investigation demonstrated that Anopheles lesteri antkropophagus is the main transmitting vector of P. falciparum and its distribution parallelled with that of P. Jalciparum.