Anophelinae

Anophelinae is a subfamily of mosquitoes within the family Culicidae. The group includes several genera, most prominently Anopheles, which contains the principal vectors of human malaria. Other genera historically placed in Anophelinae include Bironella and Chagasia. The subfamily has a global distribution, with species adapted to a range of habitats from tropical forests to temperate wetlands and urban environments.

Ecology and life history within Anophelinae centers on aquatic larval and pupal stages that develop in standing or slow-moving water. Adults are typically nocturnal or crepuscular and many species feed on vertebrate hosts, including humans, though host preference can vary by species. Breeding sites are often sunlit or partially shaded water bodies such as pools, marshes, and containers. A notable and widely cited trait among many Anopheles mosquitoes is a resting posture in which the body angles away from the surface of a resting surface, which can aid in identification in the field.

Medical importance is a defining feature of the group because the genus Anopheles contains the primary vectors of Plasmodium parasites causing malaria in humans. While some anophelines can transmit other parasites to animals, their role in human disease is dominated by malaria transmission. Control efforts typically focus on reducing larval habitats, improving protective measures to reduce human–mosquito contact, and applying insecticides, especially in regions where malaria is endemic.

Taxonomy and identification in Anophelinae rely on morphological traits of adults, larvae, and pupae, supplemented by molecular data. The subfamily is organized into tribes and genera, with Anopheles comprising many species of diverse ecological and behavioral traits.