Foogle Business - What is a Mosquito - The Genus Culex Insecta - Maleria - Malaria - Insecticides

Mosquito - A small fly, Diptera, occurring worldwide, especially in the tropics. It has long legs and a slender abdomen. In most species the males feed on plant juices, while the females suck the blood of mammals, often transmitting serious diseases - including malaria and yellow fever.

Malaria - A serious, acute and chronic relapsing infection in humans, an infectious disease caused by a protozoa of the genus Plasmodium. Characterized by periodic attacks of chills and fever, anaemia, enlargement of the spleen - splenomegaly, and often fatal complications.Malaria is spread by the female Anopheles mosquito, which lives only in the tropics. Different species of Plasmodium cause different types of Malaria. Malignant Tertian Malaria, caused by P. falciparum, is the most severe; benign tertian malaria, caused by P. vivax, is less often fatal but there are repeated attacks.

The parasites invade the red blood cells making them burst, causing fever, fits, diarrhoea, shock, and jaundice. Drugs can treat and prevent the disease, but malaria remains a major cause of death and ill health in the tropics.

Malaria also is found in apes, monkeys, rats, birds, and reptiles. It is caused by various species of protozoa, a one-celled organism - called Sporozoans, that belong to the genus Plasmodium. These parasites are transmitted to humans by the bite of various species of mosquitoes belonging to the genus Anopheles.

The MOSQUITO - plural Mosquitoes, or Mosquitos - Family Culicidae, any of the familiar insects, numbering about 2,500 species, that are important in public health because of the bloodsucking habits of the females. Mosquitoes are known to transmit such serious diseases as yellow fever, malaria, filariasis, and dengue. See also dipteran.

The slender, elongated body of the adult is covered with scales; in addition the mosquito is characterized by its long, fragile-looking legs and its mouthparts, which are contained in an elongated proboscis. The threadlike antennae of the male are generally bushier than those of the female. The males, and sometimes the females, feed on nectar and other plant juices. In most species, however, the females require a blood meal in order to mature their eggs, which are laid on the surface of water. Different species of mosquitoes show preferences and, in many cases, narrow restrictions as to host animals.

The eggs laid by mosquitoes hatch into aquatic larvae, or wrigglers, which swim with a jerking, wriggling movement and feed on algae and organic debris; a few are predatory and may even feed on other mosquitoes. Unlike most insects, mosquitoes in the pupal stage, called tumblers, are active and free-swimming. The pupae breathe by means of tubes on the thorax. The adults mate soon after emerging from their pupal cases. The duration of the life cycle varies greatly depending on the species.

Mosquitoes are apparently attracted to host animals by moisture, lactic acid, carbon dioxide, body heat, and movement. The mosquito's hum results from the high frequency of its wing beats; the female's slightly lower frequency may serve as a means of sex recognition.

Measures used to control mosquitoes include the elimination of breeding sites, the application of surface films of oil to clog the breathing tubes of wrigglers, and the use of larvicides. Synthetic organic insecticides may be used to destroy adult mosquitoes indoors.

There are three important mosquito genera. Anopheles, the only known carrier of malaria, also transmits filariasis and encephalitis. Anopheles mosquitoes are easily recognized in their resting position, in which the proboscis, head, and body are held on a straight line to each other but at an angle to the surface. The spotted colouring on the wings results from colored scales. Breeding usually occurs in water containing heavy vegetation. The female deposits her eggs singly on the water surface. Anopheles larvae lie parallel to the water surface and breathe through posterior spiracular plates on the abdomen instead of through a tube, as do most other mosquito larvae. The life cycle is from 18 days to several weeks.

The genus Culex is a carrier of viral encephalitis and, in tropical and subtropical climates, of filariasis. It holds its body parallel to the resting surface and its proboscis is bent downward relative to the surface. The wings, with scales on the veins and the margin, are uniform in color. The tip of the female's abdomen is blunt and has retracted cerci (sensory appendages). Breeding may occur on almost any body of fresh water, including standing polluted water. The eggs, which float on the water, are joined in masses of about 100 or more. The long and slender Culex larvae have breathing tubes that contain hair tufts; they lie head downward at an angle of 45° from the water surface. The life cycle, usually 10to 14 days, may be longer in cold weather. C. pipiens pipiens is the most abundant house mosquito in northern regions; C. pipiens quinquefasciatus is abundant in southern regions.

The genus Aedes carries yellow fever, dengue, and encephalitis. Like Culex, it holds its body parallel to the surface with the proboscis bent down. The wings are uniformly colored. Aedes may be distinguished from Culex by its silver thorax with white markings and posterior spiracular bristles. The tip of the female's abdomen is pointed and has protruding cerci. Aedes usually breeds in floodwater, rain pools, or salt marshes, the eggs being capable of withstanding long periods of dryness. The short, stout larvae have a breathing tube containing a pair of tufts; the larvae hang head down at a 45° angle from the water surface. The life cycle may be as short as 10 days or, in cool weather, as long as several months. A. aegypti, the important carrier of yellow fever, has white bands on its legs and spots on its abdomen and thorax. This domestic species breeds in almost any kind of container, from flower pots to discarded car-tire casings. A. sollicitans, A. taeniorhynchus, and A. dorsalis are important salt-marsh mosquitoes. They are prolific.

There are around 2,500 different species of mosquito throughout the world, of which 150 kinds live in the United States of America. One female can lay over 200 eggs at a time, and these mosquito eggs can survive for more than five years, lying in stasis waiting for a sufficient amount of water to trigger life. Every mosquito needs water to complete the first three stages of it's life-cycle.

Not all species want to bite humans; some prefer birds, others prefer horses, and some will even bite frogs and turtles, but like the flea they will go off-specie, when survival depends on it. Only the females take blood, the males either never feed or only on plant nectar.

Size for size, the mosquito can fly extensive distances and whilst some of the genus remain close to their place of birth, others can fly 20 miles or more. In human terms this is like around the world twice.

Mosquitoes do not live in grass or shrubbery, their main habitat is the air, although some adults rest in these areas during daylight hours, during the night depending on personal liking they are off hunting. Mosquitoes are directly responsible for more human deaths and illnesses than any other living creature, including Man.

Historically, they are also a clear leader; depending on how far you wish to go back in the chronicle of humankind, over 50 billion people have died by being bitten by mosquitoes.

There are many varieties of mosquitoes, each of which has a different preferred habitat and behavior, along with a preferred source of blood. In some ways they are much like other insects, particularly the FLEA.

The mosquito is so numerous, and such a ferocious biter of humans and animals, that in many countries there are established agencies to control them. Organized mosquito control is necessary because they are not only an annoyance as ferocious biting insects, but are also involved regularly in transmitting disease to humans and animals.

There are billions of mosquitoes in flight, as we speak. But they are only one kind of insect, among billions of other types of insect. It has been calculated that if all insects could be weighed en masse, their total weight would be FOUR TIMES greater than the total weight of all human beings on the planet.

Mosquito control agencies hopefully reduce mosquito numbers in various ways, including water management, biological control agents, and insecticides. Insecticides can be effective in controlling their larvae and or the imagoes, the mosquito adults.

Mosquito populations can increase rapidly, and, depending on flooding and general weather conditions, mosquito control agencies cannot always keep up with mosquito problems in all areas. Very often, local inhabitants can help appreciably by being alert to these dangers and assist in controlling mosquitoes around their area, homes and properties.

One of the most important things on the planet is water. We all need water to survive. The mosquito has evolved to need water in a unique way. It can only breed successfully with the aid of still water. Preferably, it lays its eggs in still water and this can be in a lake, a pond, a ditch, an upturned tire, even in tire tracks or even in an old discarded cup or bean-tin, filled with rain.

Still water is an area of water that is non-flowing, so a river would be no good as the off-spring might be swept away. The still water can be almost any water of any amount, stagnant or not. Whilst this shows great opportunistic values, water can also be the mosquito's Achilles Heel.

All mosquitoes, like most flying insects, have four stages of development. The Egg, the Larva, the Pupa, and finally the Imago - the adult.

The adult female lays her eggs in still water, some even lay eggs in damp places, such as mud or fallen leaves, a place that she feels may become wet at a future time, due to rain or high tides.

The mosquito then basically spends its first three stages of life, as an egg, a larva and pupae, all in water.

This water is often stagnant, and the eggs deposited soon hatch into larvae. In the hot summer months, larvae grow rapidly, become pupae, and emerge two to seven days later as a flying adult mosquito. A few important spring species have only one generation per year. However, most species have many generations per year, and their rapid increase in numbers becomes a mammoth problem.

Their only tasks in life are to mate, feed and for the female, lay eggs. Only the female can bite, and therefore fill herself with three times her own weight in blood.

After the adult mosquito surfaces from the aquatic stages, by sliding out of the pupa and the water, they seek a mate. Mosquitoes can mate on the wing, and often during a warm summer evening, we can see them in their thousands, as they dance around each other in an almost cloud of activity.

Mosquito A small flying insect that could be described as a type of Fly. It lives worldwide, especially in the tropics. It has long legs and a slender abdomen, Culex Forma. In most species the males feed on plant juices, while the females suck the blood of mammals, quite often transmitting serious diseases, including malaria and yellow fever.

Mosquitoes are found almost anywhere there is water. Although most people consider mosquitoes to be pests, they are an important part of the ecology and provide food for birds and fish.

Mosquitoes are attracted to bright colors, particularly red, as well as dark colors resembling the fur of animals. They also like sweet or floral scents, as in deodorants and perfumes, but are repelled by body odors.

The most effective insect repellents are those containing, DEET or diethyltoluamide. Otherwise, wearing heavy, light-colored clothing, foregoing baths, and leaving perfumes and deodorants home are your best options.

Other tricks include standing in a windy area as this prevents mosquitoes from landing on you, standing in the middle of a large flat rock as mosquitoes are more likely to hover over grassy areas, or burning smoky or smelly things in the campfire. Some people swear by burning candles that contain Citronella oil. In fact rub exposed areas with Citronella Oil, Tea-Tree Oil, Pennyroyal, Eucalyptus Oil, Lavender Oil, or Cedar Wood Oil, as they do not like these strong odors. Eating a lot of garlic is also good as a repellent but it does not only repel insects.

After they have mated, the female then seeks a blood meal to intravenously obtain the protein necessary for the development of her eggs. Without the protein and goodness of her victim's blood, she cannot make her eggs. The female of a few species can produce this first batch of eggs without this blood transfusion. After a blood meal is digested and the eggs are formed and laid, the female mosquito again searches for a prospective mammal to feed off, which helps her produce a second batch of eggs.

Depending on her endurance and the weather, she may repeat this process many times without mating again. The male mosquito does not take a blood meal, but may feed on plant nectar or sap. He lives for only a short time after mating.

Most mosquito species survive the winter as eggs. The cold putting them into a hibernation or stasis, awaiting the spring thaw When waters warm, it triggers the eggs to hatch. A few species though, spend the winter as adults, lying dormant sheltered cool locations, such as cellars, sewers, crawl spaces. With warm spring days, these females at once seek a blood meal and begin the cycle again. Only a few species can overwinter as larvae.

Mosquito carried diseases, such as Malaria and Yellow Fever, have plagued civilizations for thousands of years. Organized mosquito control around the world has greatly reduced the incidences of these diseases. Mosquito control agencies and health departments cooperate in being aware of these factors and reducing the chance of disease.

It is important to be aware of that the young adult female mosquito, taking her first blood meal does not transmit diseases. As a yet untouched insect, she will only transmit any maladies that she gains from feeding off her host.

It is instead the older female, and then only if she has picked up a disease organism in her first blood meal. Only then can she transmit the disease during her second meal, usually on a yet uninfected host.

When mosquitoes are numerous and interfere with a good normal living, your recreation, and work, you can see that the diverse measures described below are vital if we are to beat this creature.

The most efficient method of controlling mosquitoes is by reducing the availability of still water, to stop their breeding. As in Flea control, we have advised the humble vacuum cleaner to suck up eggs, and larvae, which breaks the cycle of life for this insect. The lack of water, also breaks the cycle of life, but is perhaps not so easy.

To be able to breed at all, the mosquito female will require water and her uncontrollable urge to lay her eggs will force her to look far and wide if need be, looking for any possible site. Whilst this shows great opportunistic awareness, water can also be the mosquito's Achilles Heel. take away these opportunities an numbers fall.

When the British dug the Suez Canal, they were beaten by the mosquito, that spread Malaria profusely Eventually a French man, Count Ferdinand De Lesseps, finished it off by taking this creature into account. But when he was asked to build the Panama Canal, he was beaten again by the mosquito. It took the Americans to beat it before it was finished. They came up with the idea of not getting rid of still water, as this was too greater a task, instead they poured fuel oil on ponds and swamps. the oil floated on the surface, some say to only a molecule thick. When the larvae came up to breathe they ingested the oil and were killed.

So large lakes, ponds, and streams that have waves, and contain insect eating fish, and lack aquatic vegetation, that offer protection, are not suitable for the survival of this insect. They only thrive in smaller bodies of water in protected places.

Scrutinize your property and neighborhood and take the following precautions.

Numerous commercially available insecticides can be quite successful in controlling larval and even adult mosquitoes. These chemicals are considered adequately safe for use by the public, if instructions are carried out to the letter. If you have a problem and want to diminish the mosquito population in your area, select a product where the label maintains that the material is effective against mosquito larvae and or adults.

For your own personal comfort, there are various commercially available repellents that can be acquired as creams, lotions, essential oils or in pressurized cans and applied to directly to the skin or clothing. Candles can be bought for evening el fresco gatherings, whose wax releases a repellent chemical. The usefulness of all repellents vary from place to place, and from person to person, and from mosquito to mosquito.

Mosquitoes are attracted by human sweat, body warmth, body odor, carbon dioxide from mammal's breath, and light. Mosquito control agencies use some of these attractants to help determine the relative number of adult mosquitoes in any area. Several devices are sold that are supposed to attract, trap, and destroy mosquitoes and other flying insects. However, if these devices are attractive to mosquitoes, they probably attract more mosquitoes into the area and may, therefore, increase rather than decrease mosquito annoyance.