Mygga

Mygga is the Swedish common name for mosquitoes, small insects in the family Culicidae within the order Diptera. Mosquitoes comprise thousands of species across multiple genera, including Anopheles, Culex and Aedes. Adults are slender with long legs and wings bearing scales; females have a long proboscis used to pierce skin and obtain a blood meal, while most males feed on nectar.

Life cycle: Mosquitoes undergo complete metamorphosis. Eggs are laid on or near standing water and hatch into aquatic larvae (wigglers). Larvae become pupae (tumblers) before emerging as winged adults. Development time depends on species and temperature, but females typically complete several life stages within weeks.

Behavior and ecology: Female mosquitoes require a protein-rich blood meal for egg development; host preference is species-specific. Some species feed on humans, others on animals. Mosquitoes are most common in warm, humid environments and breed in standing water such as ponds, containers, or tires. They are part of the food web and, in some ecosystems, can act as pollinators.

Health and prevention: Mosquitoes are vectors for several pathogens, including malaria parasites (Anopheles), dengue, Zika and chikungunya viruses (Aedes), and filarial worms (Culex). Disease risk is region-specific and generally higher in tropical and subtropical areas. Prevention focuses on reducing standing water, using screens and bed nets, applying repellents, and employing targeted vector control and environmental management.