Mosquito
Mosquito
Mosquito (pronunciation: /məˈskiːtoʊ/) is a common flying insect that belongs to the family Culicidae. The term is derived from the Spanish and Portuguese word for "little fly".
Etymology
The word "mosquito" is from the Spanish and Portuguese for "little fly". The use of the word in English dates back to the early 16th century. The Spanish and Portuguese word "mosquito" is derived from the Latin musca, meaning "fly".
Description
Mosquitoes are small, midge-like flies that constitute the family Culicidae. Females of most species are ectoparasites, whose tube-like mouthparts (called a proboscis) pierce the hosts' skin to consume blood. The size of a mosquito ranges from 3mm to 9mm.
Life Cycle
The life cycle of a mosquito features four stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult or imago. The first three stages are aquatic and last 5–14 days, depending on the species and the ambient temperature.
Diseases
Mosquitoes are known to transmit several potentially fatal diseases to humans, including malaria, dengue fever, Zika virus, chikungunya, and yellow fever. They also transmit several diseases and parasites that dogs and horses are very susceptible to, such as dog heartworm, Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus.
Prevention and Control
Prevention and control of mosquito-borne diseases is a common public health practice throughout the world. This includes the use of insect repellents, mosquito nets, and insecticides. In addition, several methods have been developed to control the mosquito population, including the introduction of natural predators, such as bats and birds, and the use of biological control methods.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Mosquito
- Wikipedia's article - Mosquito
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