Mosquito Biology
What is the average lifespan of a mosquito?
About 2 weeks to 6 months, depending on the species.
Name the most common genus of mosquitoes that transmit malaria.
Anopheles.
Name one method used to control mosquito populations.
Larviciding, using mosquito nets, fogging, removing stagnant water, etc.
Name a viral disease transmitted by mosquitoes.
Zika virus, Dengue fever, West Nile virus, etc.
Approximately how many species of mosquitoes feed on humans?
About 70 out of over 3,500 species.
How do female mosquitoes locate hosts for blood meals?
By detecting carbon dioxide and body heat emitted by animals or humans.
How many species of mosquitoes are known worldwide?
Over 3,500 species.
What is the purpose of larviciding?
To kill mosquito larvae before they mature into adults.
What is the primary symptom of Dengue fever?
High fever, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, joint and muscle pain, rash.
True or false: Only female mosquitoes bite humans.
True. Female mosquitoes require blood for egg development.
What is the purpose of mosquito proboscis?
To pierce the skin of a host and suck blood.
Which mosquito species is responsible for transmitting yellow fever?
Aedes aegypti.
Explain how mosquito repellents work.
They create a barrier that interferes with mosquitoes' ability to detect humans through chemical cues like carbon dioxide or body heat.
Which disease is sometimes called "breakbone fever" due to the severe joint and muscle pain it causes?
Dengue fever.
Why do mosquitoes buzz?
The buzzing sound is produced by the rapid beating of their wings.
True or false: Male mosquitoes feed on blood.
False. Only female mosquitoes feed on blood; males primarily feed on nectar.
True or false: The Anopheles mosquito is the primary vector for malaria.
True.
Which environmental strategy is effective in reducing mosquito populations?
Introducing natural predators like dragonflies or using biological controls such as Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (BTI).
What is the main symptom of Chikungunya virus infection?
Severe joint pain, often affecting hands and feet.
Which country is credited with the discovery that female mosquitoes transmit malaria?
Great Britain (by Sir Ronald Ross in 1897).
Which mosquito species is known for its distinctive white and silver scales on its legs and body?
Aedes albopictus, also known as the Asian tiger mosquito.
What is unique about the behavior of the Culex mosquito compared to other mosquitoes?
Culex mosquitoes are primarily active during dusk and dawn, unlike some other species that are more active at night.
What is the main advantage of using mosquito nets treated with insecticide?
They provide physical protection while the insecticide kills mosquitoes that come in contact with the net.
True or false: Malaria is caused by a parasite transmitted through the bites of infected mosquitoes.
True.
What is the approximate number of deaths globally attributed to mosquito-borne diseases each year?
Over 1 million deaths annually.