Mosquito:
The
mosquitoes are a family of small, midge-like flies: the
Culicidae. Although a few species are harmless or even useful to humanity, most are a nuisance because they consume blood from living vertebrates, including humans. The females of many species of mosquitoes are blood eating pests. In feeding on blood, some of them transmit extremely harmful human and livestock diseases, such as malaria. Some authorities argue accordingly that mosquitoes are the most dangerous animals on Earth.
Mosquitoes are members of a family of nematocerid flies: the
Culicidae (from the Latin
culex, genitive culicis meaning "midge" or "gnat").
The word
mosquito (formed by
mosca and diminutive
ito) is from the Spanish for "little fly".
Superficially, mosquitoes resemble crane flies (family Tipulidae) and chironomid flies (family Chironomidae);
as a result, casual observers seldom realise the important differences
between the members of the respective families. In particular, the
females of many species of mosquitoes are blood eating pests and
dangerous vectors of diseases,
whereas members of the similar-looking Chironomidae and Tipulidae are
not. Many species of mosquitoes are not blood eaters, and many of those
that do create a "high to low pressure" in the blood to obtain it do not
transmit disease. Also, in the bloodsucking species, only the females
suck blood. Furthermore, even among mosquitoes that do carry important
diseases, neither all species of mosquitoes, nor or all strains of a
given species transmit the same kinds of diseases, nor do they all
transmit the diseases under the same circumstances; their habits differ.
For example, some species attack people in houses, and others prefer to
attack people walking in forests. Accordingly, in managing public
health, knowing which species, even which strains, of mosquitoes with
which one is dealing is important.
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