Stechmücken

Stechmücken, commonly known as mosquitoes, are small, flying insects belonging to the family Culicidae. There are over 3,500 species of mosquitoes worldwide, found in virtually every region except Antarctica. They are characterized by their slender bodies, a pair of scaled wings, and a long, piercing proboscis.

The life cycle of a stechmücke involves four distinct stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Eggs are typically laid in stagnant or slow-moving water, which serves as the breeding ground for the larval and pupal stages. Larvae, also known as wigglers, live in the water and breathe through a siphon. They develop into pupae, or tumblers, which are also aquatic but do not feed. After a period of development, the adult mosquito emerges from the pupal skin at the water's surface.

Adult mosquitoes feed on nectar and other plant juices, which provide them with energy. However, it is the females of most stechmücke species that are notorious for their blood-feeding habits. They require the protein and nutrients found in blood to develop their eggs. When a female mosquito bites a host, she uses her proboscis to pierce the skin and extract blood. This bite can result in an itchy welt due to the anticoagulant saliva she injects.

Stechmücken are more than just a nuisance; they are significant vectors of numerous diseases. These include malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, West Nile virus, and yellow fever. The female mosquito transmits these pathogens when she feeds on an infected host and then bites a healthy individual. Public health efforts worldwide focus on controlling mosquito populations and preventing mosquito-borne illnesses.