Culicidae

Culicidae is a large family of small, slender flies in the order Diptera, suborder Nematocera. It comprises about 3,500 described species in more than 40 genera, with Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex being among the best known due to their roles as disease vectors. Adults are typically long-legged and have a conspicuous proboscis; males possess plumose antennae, while females have less elaborate antennae. Most adults feed on nectar for energy, while many female mosquitoes require a blood meal to develop eggs.

Life cycle and morphology: Mosquitoes undergo complete metamorphosis, with eggs laid on or near water that hatch into aquatic larvae (wigglers). Larvae breathe through siphons or other specialized structures and feed in the water. They molt into pupae (tumblers), which do not feed, and eventually emerge as winged adults. The aquatic larval stage is central to their ecology and a common target for control measures.

Ecology and behavior: Culicidae occupy a wide range of habitats, from pristine ponds to artificial containers and polluted waters. Larvae and pupae are aquatic, while adults are strong fliers that can be active at dawn, dusk, or day depending on species. Host-seeking behavior varies; many species preferentially feed on humans or other vertebrates, while others feed on animals or nectar.

Medical and economic importance: Several mosquito species are important disease vectors. Anopheles transmits malaria; Aedes transmits dengue, Zika, chikungunya, and yellow fever; Culex transmits West Nile virus and other pathogens. Control efforts focus on reducing standing water, larviciding, insecticide-treated nets, and, in some regions, genetic or biological approaches.

Distribution: Mosquitoes have a cosmopolitan distribution, thriving in tropical and subtropical regions but found on every continent except Antarctica.