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Mosquito on a blade of grass

Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes are a family of insects encompassing over 3,500 recognised species. Most are associated with warm and humid regions, although they can be found in cooler areas and even in snow. Most mosquito species feed on nectar, however, the females of some species drink blood for the nutrients they need to develop eggs. They inject saliva that contains an anti-coagulant to prevent their proboscis from getting clogged up. Mosquitoes transmit diseases such as malaria to many millions of people every year.

Scientific name: Culicidae

Rank: Family

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Distribution

The Mosquitoes can be found in a number of locations including: Africa, Amazon Rainforest, Asia, Australia, China, Europe, Indian subcontinent, Mediterranean, North America, Russia, South America. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.

When they lived

Discover the other animals and plants that lived during the following geological time periods.

About

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, yellow fever and filariasis. Some authorities argue accordingly that mosquitoes are the most dangerous animals on Earth.

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Classification

  1. Life
  2. Animals
  3. Arthropods
  4. Insects
  5. Flies
  6. Mosquitoes

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