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The Worlds Deadliest Animal the mosquito

Mosquito Book

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Page 1: Mosquito Book

The Worlds Deadliest Animal

the mosquito

Page 2: Mosquito Book

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are insects in the family, Culicadae. They have a pair of scaled wings, a pair of halteres, a slender body, and long legs. The females of the most mosquito species suck blood (hematophagy) from other animals, which has made them the most deadly disease vector known, killing millions of people over thousands of years and continuing to kill millions per year by the spread of in-fectious diseases. Length varies but is rarely greater than 16 mm (0.6 in.), and weight is up to 2.5 mg (0.04 grain). A mosquito can fly for 1 to 4 hours continuously at up to 1-2 km/h travelling up to 10 km in a night. Most species are nocturnal or crepuscular (dawn or dusk) feeders. During the heat of the day most mosquitos rest in a cool place and wait for the evenings. They may still bite if disturbed. Mosquitos are adept at infiltratrion and have been known to find their way into redidences via deac-tived air conditioning untis.

Mosquitos

Page 3: Mosquito Book

There a more than 2,700 species of mosquitos in the world, and there are 13 mosquito genera (plural for “genus”) that live in the United States.

Of these genera, most mosquitos belong to three:

Aedus - These are also called “floodwater” mosquitos because flooding is important for their eggs to hatch. They have abdomens with pointed tips and they include such species as the yellow-fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) and the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes al-bopictus). They are strong fliers, capable of travelling great distances (up to 75 miles/121 km) from their breeding sites. They persistently bite mammals (especially humans) and their bites are painful.

Anophelus - These tend to breed in bodies of permanent fresh water. These mosquitos also have abdomens of pointed tips. They inlcude several species, such as the common malaria mosquito (Anopheles quadrimaculatanus), that can spread malaria to humans.

Culex - These tend to breed in quiet, standing water. They have abdomens with blunt tips, including several species such as the northern house mosquito (Culex pipiens). They are weak fliers and tend to live for only a few weeks during the summer months. They persistently bite (preferring birds and humans) and their bite is painful.

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Types of Mosquitos

Page 4: Mosquito Book

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mosquito life cycle

Average life spans of the male and female mosquito by days.

0 20 40 60 80 100

Male

Female

Page 5: Mosquito Book

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What You May Need to KnowThe disease known as Malaria, which is transmitted by the mosquitio, is reponsible for 300 to 500 deaths per years. Only the female mosquito actually bites, and it feeds every 3 to 4 days sucking its own body weight in blood each time. They are often attracted to humans who are wearing dark colored clothing.

Ratio of people infected by mosquito bite

diseases in the united states in 2004

Did You Know...Mosquitoes prefer children over adults, and A mosquito cannot see well, but find their targets by sensing their body temperature.

They prefer blondes over brunettes.

Mosquito bites are more likely to happen if you eat bananas, or if there is a full moon.

Arizona

all other states

California

Arkansas

Colorado

Florida

Page 6: Mosquito Book