Culicidae
Common Name
Mosquitoes
Overview
The family Culicidae, commonly known as mosquitoes, comprises over 3,500 species of small flies. Mosquitoes are known for their role as blood-feeding parasites and vectors of numerous diseases affecting humans and animals.
Taxonomy
Key Characteristics
- Slender, elongated bodies
- Long, thin legs
- One pair of scaled wings
- Proboscis for piercing skin and sucking blood
- Antennae that can be feathery (males) or thread-like (females)
Life Cycle
- Egg: Laid on water surfaces or damp areas
- Larva: Aquatic and goes through four instar stages
- Pupa: Also aquatic and does not feed
- Adult: Emerges from the pupal skin, ready to fly and, in females, seek blood meals
Behavior and Ecology
- Feeding: Female mosquitoes feed on blood, while males typically consume nectar
- Habitat: Prefer standing water for laying eggs; can be found in a variety of climates
- Activity: Mostly active during dawn and dusk
- Interactions: Exhibit complex interactions with hosts, predators, and environmental conditions
Notable Species
- Aedes aegypti: Vector of dengue fever, Zika virus, and yellow fever
- Anopheles gambiae: Primary vector of malaria
- Culex pipiens: Common house mosquito, vector of West Nile virus
Conservation
While mosquitoes are generally not the focus of conservation efforts due to their role in transmitting diseases, their larvae serve as an important food source for various aquatic species.
Significance to Humans
Mosquitoes are vectors of some of the most severe and deadly diseases, including malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, yellow fever, and West Nile virus, impacting public health significantly.
Fun Facts
- Some mosquitoes are adapted to freeze and survive cold winters.
- Only female mosquitoes bite humans; males feed on nectar.
- Mosquitoes have been on Earth for more than 100 million years.
- They are attracted to carbon dioxide, warmth, and human sweat.
- Mosquitoes can detect blood hosts from almost 100 feet away.