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Anopheles gambiae mosquito feeding

There are over 3,000 species of mosquito found throughout the world, divided among 28 genera. The genus Aedes contains some of the worst pests, and many members of the genus Anopheles have the ability to transmit human malaria. Currently, 176 of those species occur in the United States. Mosquitoes are insects and belong to the order Diptera, and as such are an example of True Flies. Some are harmless or even beneficial to the human race, but many are considered pests due to the fact that the females of the species use the blood of vertebrates to feed. While feeding on the blood, some of the various species transmit extremely harmful human and livestock diseases, such as malaria, yellow fever, filariasis, and many more. What some people may not know is that the blood the females extract is used to feed their young, the actual mosquito feeds on the nectar from various plants. This is why the males of the species do not feed on blood and are essentially harmless. There are five subfamilies, with Anophelinae and Culicinae being the main examples. Within these subfamilies exist some forty-three genera, but these figures are subject to continual change, as more species are discovered, and as DNA studies compel rearrangement of the taxonomy of the family. 

Did you know that there are 70 different species of mosquito in New York State? While most do not transmit the West Nile virus, several of the species that exist there have been associated with the virus.

Did you know that Orkin, a pest control company, named Atlanta, Memphis, and Houston as the top three of it's top 20 mosquito cities? In the United States, mosquitoes are known to transmit West Nile virus and other illnesses that can cause encephalitis, or swelling of the brain. In 2013, more than 2,300 cases of West Nile virus were reported in 48 states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Did you know that the mosquito is the world's deadliest animal? With 725,000 deaths a year caused by mosquitoes, they are far deadlier than even human beings.




Here is a list of the top 6 worst species of mosquito in the U.S.:

#1 The Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes albopictus)

Although the Asian Tiger Mosquito is native to the subtropical regions of Asia, it has rapidly become one of the planet's most widely distributed animal species. In the past couple of decades it has spread very quickly through international travel and the worldwide trading of goods. Unfortunately, it is also a epidemiologically important vector for the transmission of several diseases including but not limited to the Yellow fever virus, dengue fever, Chikungunya fever, and the West Nile virus. They can breed in containers as small as a bottle cap, so eliminating these pests can be a difficult task. Also, unlike most mosquitoes this breed can feed twenty-four hours a day, while most other species feed only at dusk or dawn. 



Asian Tiger Mosquitoes are known to be very aggressive and even more adept at spreading certain pathogens than the Yellow Fever Mosquito.

#2 Yellow Fever Mosquito (Aedes aegypti)

The yellow fever mosquito originated in Africa, but has spread to tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world. Aedes aegypti is a vector for dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever viruses, and other diseases. Yellow fever, also known as yellow jack or yellow plague is an acute viral disease. In most cases symptoms include fever, chills, loss of appetite, nausea, muscle pains particularly in the back, headaches, and yellow skin. 

The head of a yellow fever mosquito under an electron microscope.

#3 Malaria Mosquito (Anopheles gambiae)

Anopheles gambiae, adult female under microscope.

Structural organization of the Anopheles gambiae heart.

#4 Encephalitis Mosquito (Culex tarsalis)

Female Culex quinquefasciatus laying egg raft. #6 Eastern Salt Marsh Mosquito (Aedes sollicitans) The salt marsh mosquito, also called Ochlerotatus sollicitans or Aedes sollicitans, is known to increase in abundance after rains and flooding events, it is also well known for its aggressive biting. These factors contribute to its notoriety as a pest insect. It is native to the eastern seaboard of the United States and Canada as well as the entire Gulf coast and is also present in the Bahamas and Greater Antilles. It is a versatile species and is often found breeding in saline pools. The salt marsh mosquito is a vector for diseases such as Eastern equine encephalitis, Venezuelan equine encephalitis and the spreading of heartworms in dogs.

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