Mosquito

Mosquitoes constitute the most important single family of insects from the standpoint of human
health. They are found all over the world. The four important groups of mosquitoes in India which
are related to disease transmission are the Anopheles, Culex, Aedes and Mansonia.

The body of a mosquito consists of three parts: head, thorax and abdomen,
(a) HEAD: The head is semi-globular in outline, and bears the following structures:
(1) a pair of large compound eyes
(ii) a long needle-like structure, called the proboscis with which the mosquito bites
(iii) a pair of palpi, each a four-jointed structure, situated on either side of the proboscis and
(iv) a pair of antennae or feelers. The antennae are bushy in the male, and not quite so in the
female. They provide an easy means of distinguishing the male from the female
(b) THORAX: The thorax is large and rounded in appearance and bears:
(i) a pair of wings dorsally
(ii) three pairs of legs ventrally. The wings of the mosquito are characterised by a fringe of scales
on the posterior border and the first, third and sixth veins on the wings are not branched. When
the mosquito is at rest, the wings are folded.
C) ABDOMEN: The abdomen is long and narrow and is composed of 10 segments, the last two of which are modified to
form the external genitalia.

Life history

There are four stages in the life history of

mosquitoes : egg, larva, pupa and adult.
Metamorphosis is complete.

(1) EGG Eggs are laid on the surface of

water, 100-250 at a time.
 Anopheles –eggs are boat shaped and possess lateral floats
 Culex – eggs do not possess lateral floats and are in small clusters
 Aedes – eggs are cigar shaped and do not possess lateral floats
 Mansonia- eggs are star shaped clusters which are attached to undersurface of the leaves of aquatic
plants(pisita).
 (2) LARVA:the larval stage of mosquitos lasts for 5 – 7 days
 The larva is free swimming creature which feeds on algae , bacteria and vegetable
matter.
 Body is divided into head,thorax and abdomen
 Anopheles- larve floats horizontally in the water without siphon tune at the tip of its
abdomen
 Culicine( culex,aedes, mansonia)-larve are suspended in water with their heads downward
and possess a siphon tune which is situated on the 8th abdominal segment
 Larve of mansonia are attached to the rootlets of certain aquatic plants to optainair from
plant rootlets.
 (3) PUPA The pupa is comma-shaped in appearance, with a large rounded cephalothorax
and a narrow abdomen.
 Two small respiratory tubes or trumpets project from the upper surface of the thorax. The
pupa represents the resting stage in the life history of the mosquito; it does not feed but
prefers to stay quiet at the water surface.
 But when disturbed it swims rapidly downwards into the water. The pupal stage lasts for
1-2 days.
 Adult- under favourable condition of temperature and food supply the life
cycle from egg to adult is complete in 7-10 days
 Normally the adult mosquito lives for about 2 weeks.
Mosquito

| \
Anophelini Culicine
Anopheles culex
Aedes
mansonia

 Anopheles
 There are 45 species of Anopheles found in India.

 Disease caused by anophele- Malaria

2) Culex
(

 Mosquitoes of the genus Culex are the common “nuisance mosquitoes” which are
terrible pests of man. An important member of this group is Culex fatigans, the vector of Bancroftian filariasis in
India. Culex fatigans is essentially a domestic species and is found everywhere in India in and around dwellings.
Rapid urbanization and industrialization without adequate drainage facilities are responsible for its increased
spread. It breeds profusely in dirty water collections, viz. Stagnant drains, cesspools, septic tanks, burrow pits,
and in fact, in all types of water collection. Culex fatigans is a strong-winged mosquito; its dispersal has been
found to be 11 km in the rural areas of Delhi (7). The species is highly anthrophilic. It enters the houses at dusk
and reaches maximum density by midnight. . Legs, particularly below the knee are the preferred biting sites.
 Disease caused by culex- Bancroftian filarisis, Japanese encephalitis
 (3) Aedes (Stegomyia)


 Aedes mosquitoes are easily distinguished by white stripes on a black body. Because of the striped or banded
character of their legs they are sometimes referred to as “tiger mosquitoes.
 Aedes mosquito are more abundant during rainy season.
 Aedes aegypti occupies a very special position in preventive medicine. It is the first proved vector of a virus
disease – yellow fever. Aedes aegypti is widely distributed in India. It breeds in artificial accumulations of water in
and around human dwellings, such as water found in discarded tins, broken bottles, fire buckets, flower pots,
coconut shells, earthen pots, tree holes and the like. Ithe females are fearless biters, and they bite chiefly during
the day. They do not fly over long distances usually less than 100 metres (110 yards) .
 Disease caused by aedes – denguE chikungunya
 International Health Regulations (IHR), all International
airports and seaports are kept free from all types of mosquitoes for a distance
of 400 metres around the perimeter of the ports. Under the International
Health Regulations, Aedes aegypti index is defined as “the ratio, expressed as
percentage, between the number of houses in a limited well-defined area on
the premises of which actual breeding of Aedes aegypti are found, and the
total number of houses examined in that area”
Mansonia

 The mosquitoes of this genus are big, black or brown

mosquitoes with speckling on their wings and legs. The
common Indian species are: M.annulifera, M.uniformis, M. Indiana and M.
Longipalpis. The mansonoides mosquitoes are peculiar in their breeding habits. They
breed in ponds and lakes containing certain aquatic plants, especially the floating types
like Pistia stratiotes and water hyacinth. The eggs are laid in star-shaped clusters on
the under-surface of the leaves of these aquatic plants. The larvae and pupae are
found attached to the rootlets of these plants by their siphon tubes; they obtain their
air supply from these rootlets. When about to become adults, the pupae come to the
surface of water and the fully formed adults emerge and escape. The control of
mansonoides mosquitoes is easy by the removal or destruction of the aquatic host
plants by herbicides.

 Disease caused by mansonia – brugian filariasis


Habits of mosquito
Various habits of mosquito have been extensively studied by entomologists. A knowledge of these habits is
essential from the point of view of controlling the mosquitoes as well as for a proper understanding of the part
they play int disease transmission. The following are some of their important habits:
 (1) FEEDING HABITS: The males never bite they subsist on plant juices. The females on the contrary are
haematophagous. They require a blood meal, once in 2-3 days for the development of eggs. The females differ in
their feeding habits. Some species (anthrophilic) prefer human blood, some (zoophillic) prefer animal blood, and
some indifferent in their choice and feed on both man and animals.
 (2) TIME OF BITING: In general mosquitoes bite in the evening or in the early part of the night, but there are great
variations among the species.
 (3) RESTING HABITS: Mosquitoes obscure themselves during the day in dark and cool corners. Some rest indoors
(endophilia), and some outdoors (exophilia). The indoor resting places are usually the dark corners of houses,
upper part of walls, behind pictures and under furniture. The outdoor resting places are usually the vegetation,
shrubs, tree holes, cattle sheds and wells.
 (4) BREEDING HABITS: In general, the anophelines prefer clean water for breeding; the culicines prefer dirty and
polluted water; the aedes prefer artificial collections of water. The mansonia breed in water containing certain
types of aquatic vegetation.
 (5) HIBERNATION : Mosquitoes are known to hibernate in the adult stage when the environmental conditions are
not favourable. Severe winters are tided over by hibernation.
 (6) DISPERSAL : Mosquitoes do not generally fly far from the place where they breed unless swept by currents of
wind. The range of flight varies with the species, and may range upto 11 kms. Aircrafts and ships have increased
the possibility of the dispersal of mosquitoes from country to country, and have created fresh problems of public
health. The danger of introduction of mosquitoes infected with yellow fever into


Measures to control
mosquito
(1

While there are many methods of mosquito control, experts now

recommend an “integrated approach”, that is, an approach which
avoids the excessive use of any one method (e.g., insecticides) but
tries to combine one or more methods with a view to obtain
maximum results with minimum inputs and also to prevent
environmental pollution with toxic chemicals and development of
insecticide resistance. The various methods of mosquito

control may be classified as below: 1 ANTI-LARVAL MEASURES

(a) Environmental control

(b) Chemical control (c) Biological control.

2 ANTI-ADULT MEASURES

(a) Residual sprays (b) Space sprays

(c) Genetic control.

3 PROTECTION AGAINST MOSQUITO BITES

(a) Mosquito net

(b) Screening

 (c) Repellents.
 Anti-larval measures
1.Environmental Control
Mosquitoes is to eliminate their breeding places. This is known as “source reduction”, and comprises minor
engineering methods such as filling, levelling and drainage of breeding places; and water management (such as intermittent
irrigation). These are proven methods of larval control. Source reduction also implies rendering the water unsuitable for
mosquito breeding, as for example, changing the salinity of water. Source reduction requires an accurate knowledge of the
breeding habits of mosquitoes. If Culex mosquitoes are a problem, there should be a programme for the abolition of
domestic and peridomestic sources of breeding such as cesspools and open ditches; and arrangements should be made for
adequate collection, removal and disposal of sewage and waste water. If Aedes mosquitoes are a problem, the environment
should be cleaned up and got rid of water holding containers such as discarded tins, empty pots, broken bottles, coconut
shells and similar other artificial collections of water. If Anopheles mosquitoes are a problem, their breeding places should be
looked for and abolished by appropriate engineering measures such as filling and drainage. If Mansonia mosquitoes are a
problem, the aquatic plants to which the larvae attach themselves should be removed or destroyed by herbicides. Source
reduction methods generally produce results that are permanent.

2. Chemical control
 i) Mineral oils: The application of oil to water is one of the oldest known mosquito control
measure. The oils most widely used are the diesel oil, fuel oil, kerosene and various
fractions of crude oils. Special oils (e.g., Mosquito Larvicidal Oil) are also available. Oil
kills larvae and pupae within a short time after application. When applied on water, oil
spreads and forms a thin film, which cuts off the air supply to the mosquito larvae and
pupae. Oil probably has also a specific toxic action on these insect stages. The usual
application rate for oils is 40 to 90 litres per hectare (9). Since the life cycle of a mosquito
occupies about 8 days, it is customary to apply oil once a week on all breeding places. Oil
has also certain disadvantages, it renders water unfit for drinking; it kills fish.
 Ii) Paris green: Paris green or copper acetoarsenite is an emerald green, micro-crystalline
powder practically insoluble in water. A good sample of paris green must contain 50 per
cent arsenious oxide. Paris green is a stomach poison and to be effective it must be
ingested by the larvae. Paris green kills mainly the Anopheles larvae because they are
surface-feeders. Bottom-feeding larvae are also killed when paris green is applied as a
special granular formulation. Paris green is applied as 2 per cent dust which is prepared
by mixing 2 kg of paris green and 98 kg of a diluent such as soapstone powder or slaked
lime in a “rotary mixer”. The resulting mixture must be fine with the size of the
particles ranging from 20-25 microns. The dusting is accomplished by hand blowers or
rotary blowers. The recommended dose is 1 kg of actual paris green per hectare of
water surface (9). In the dosage applied, paris reducing the numbers of green does not
harm fish, man or domestic animals.
(iii) Synthetic insecticides: Fenthion, Chlorpyrifos, and
Abate are the most effective larvicides (10). These
organophosphorous compounds hydrolyze quickly in
water. Abate at a concentration of 1.0 ppm has been
found to be a very effective larvicide, and also the least
toxic. Dosage of these toxicants are given in Table 6. The
organochlorine compounds (e.g., DDT, HCH) are not
recommended for larviciding operations because of their
long residual effect, water contamination and increased
risk of developing resistance in the vector mosquitoes.

 Toxicants employed as larvicides in mosquito control


 Toxicant dosage
 Abate -56-112
 Malathion - 224-672
 Fenthion 22-112

 Chloropyrifos -11-16
Biological control

Awide range of small fish feed readily on

mosquito larvae. The best known are the
Gambusia affinis and Lebister reticulatus (sometimes
known as Barbados Millions). These fish can be used in
burrow pits, sewage oxidation ponds, ornamental ponds,
cisterns and farm ponds. In recent years, there has been a
revival of interest in the biological control of mosquitoes
through the use of fish . It is however recognized that
biological control can be effective only when used in
conjunction with other methods.
2 . ANTI-ADULT MEASURES

(a) Residual spray- Adult mosquitoes are most commonly controlled by spraying houses with residual insecticides. DDT is the insecticide of choice and dosages of 1-2 grams of
pure DDT per sq. Metre are applied 1-3 times a year to walls and other surfaces where mosquitoes rest. In areas where DDT resistance is encountered, malathion and propoxur and
to a lesser extent gamma-HCH (lindane) are recommended.
 Resistance to mosquitoes, especially after several years of exposure. Resistance to organophosphorus insecticides is also becoming widespread. It is essential that periodic tests
should be made to determine the susceptibility of different species of mosquitoes to the various insecticides so that only potent insecticides can be applied
( b) Space sprays

Space sprays are those where the insecticidal formulation is sprayed into the
atmosphere in the form of a mist or fog to kill insects. The common space sprays are:
(i) Pyrethrum extract: An extract of pyrethrum flowers is an excellent space spray. The active principle (pyrethrin) is a nerve poison and
kills insects instantly on mere contact. Pyrethrum is sprayed at a dosage of 1 oz of the spray solution (containing 0.1 per cent of the
active principle, pyrethrin) per 1,000 C. Ft. Of space. The doors and windows are kept closed for half an hour. For domestic purposes, the
hand gun with a fine nozzle is all that is necessary, but for application on a large scale, power sprayers or “aerosol” dispensers may be
needed. Pyrethrum sprays are effective in reducing the number of mosquitoes but the reduction is only temporary since it has no residual
action. Reinfestation from outside sources generally occurs within a short time. (ii) Residual Insecticides: New equipment has been
developed for ULV (ultra low volume) space spraying. The most extensively used insecticides are malathion and fenitrothion for ULV
fogging .

(c) Genetic control

In recent years, control of mosquitoes by genetic methods such as sterile male

technique, cytoplasmic incompatibility, chromosomal translocations, sex distortion,
and gene replacement have been explored. Their use is still in the “Research Phase”.
These techniques have great potential in mosquito control (3). They also have certain
advantages over chemical methods, being cheaper and potentially more efficient and
above all not subject to vector resistance.
Protection Against Mosquito Bites
a) mosquito net

The mosquito net offers protection against mosquito bites during sleep. The material of
the net should be white, to allow easy detection of mosquitoes. The top as well as the
sides of the net should be of netting. The best pattern is the rectangular net. There
should not be a single hole or rent in the net. The size of the openings in the net is of
utmost importance the size should not exceed 0.0475 inch in any diameter. The number of
holes in one square inch is usually 150.

(b) Screening

Screening of buildings with copper or bronze gauze having 16 meshes to the inch is recommended. The aperture
should not be larger than 0.0475 inch. Screening of buildings is costly, but gives excellent results.

(c) Repellents

Diethyltoluamide (deet) has been found to be an outstanding all-purpose repellent (10). It has been found to
remain active against C. Fatigans for 18-20 hours. There are others also which are effective: indalone, dimethyl
phthalate, dimethyl carbate, ethyl hexanediol, etc. Repellents or culicifuges are used mainly for application on
the skin, and their chief advantage is the short duration of protection.