mosquito

Mosquitoes are small, slender insects of the family Culicidae in the order Diptera. They occur worldwide, especially in regions with standing water that supports their aquatic life stages. There are thousands of described species, but only a subset feed on vertebrates, including humans. Adults have long legs, a narrow body, and a long proboscis used for feeding.

The mosquito life cycle comprises egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Eggs are laid on or near water and hatch when submerged or flooded. Larvae, known as wrigglers, live in water and breathe through siphons. They molt into aquatic pupae, or tumblers, which do not feed. Adults emerge from the surface and many species mate soon after, with females typically requiring a blood meal to develop eggs, while males mostly feed on nectar.

Behavior and ecology vary by species. Many mosquitoes are crepuscular or nocturnal biters, and host-seeking is guided by carbon dioxide, body odors, heat, and movement. Some species feed indoors, others outdoors, and preferred habitats range from freshwater to brackish water, with watering sites shaped by climate and human activity. Beyond disease transmission, adult mosquitoes and larvae serve as food for a variety of predators and can act as pollinators for certain plants.

Mosquitoes are important vectors of human and animal diseases, transmitting pathogens such as malaria (Plasmodium), dengue, Zika, yellow fever, chikungunya, West Nile virus, and filarial worms. Control focuses on integrated vector management, including habitat reduction, biological and chemical larvicides, bed nets, screens, and targeted indoor spraying, along with ongoing surveillance and community education.