Mosquitoes
Order: Diptera
Family: Culicidae
Origin
Found worldwide, particularly in areas with warm and humid climates.
Characteristics
Small insects with slender bodies, long legs, and elongated mouthparts (proboscis).
Types
Numerous species, including Aedes mosquitoes (Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus), Anopheles mosquitoes (Anopheles spp.), and Culex mosquitoes (Culex spp.).
Attraction Factors
Standing water, high humidity, body heat, and carbon dioxide emitted by humans.
Behavior
Nocturnal bloodsuckers, with females requiring blood meals to reproduce. Known vectors of diseases like malaria, dengue, and Zika virus.
Identification
Females possess a proboscis for blood-feeding, while males feed on nectar or plant juices.
Prevention
Eliminating stagnant water sources, using mosquito nets or screens, wearing protective clothing, and applying mosquito repellents.
Control
Source reduction (eliminating breeding sites), larvicides, insecticide-treated bed nets, fogging, and professional mosquito control services.