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1 - Introduction to mosquitoes (Culicidae)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  05 July 2014

Mike Service
Mike Service
Affiliation:
Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine
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Summary

There are some 3400 species of mosquitoes, which are traditionally placed in 42 genera, all contained in the family Culicidae. Some mosquito experts recognize many more genera. For example, some mosquitoes in the genus Aedes have been transferred to the genera Ochlerotatus and Stegomyia, but these genera are not used in this book as they are regarded as subgenera.

The Culicidae is divided into three subfamilies: Toxorhynchitinae, Anophelinae (anophelines) and Culicinae (culicines). Mosquitoes have a worldwide distribution, occurring throughout the tropical and temperate regions and northwards into the Arctic Circle. The only areas from which they are absent are Antarctica, and a few islands. They are found at elevations of 3500 m and down mines to depths of 1250 m below sea level.

The most important pest and vector species belong to the genera Anopheles, Culex, Aedes, Psorophora, Mansonia, Haemagogus and Sabethes. Anopheles species, as well as transmitting malaria, are vectors of filariasis (Wuchereria bancrofti, Brugia malayi and Brugia timori) and a few arboviruses. Certain Culex species transmit Wuchereria bancrofti and a variety of arboviruses. Aedes species are important vectors of yellow fever, dengue, West Nile virus and many other arboviruses, and in a few restricted areas they are also vectors of Wuchereria bancrofti and Brugia malayi. Mansonia species transmit Brugia malayi and sometimes Wuchereria bancrofti and a few arboviruses.

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Medical Entomology for Students , pp. 1 - 32
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2008

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