Mosquitoes: everything you need to know about them

Mosquitoes – small, annoying creatures that can ruin any summer evening. Despite their small size, they play a key role in our ecosystem, and their presence arouses both fascination and dislike. Why are mosquitoes so fascinating and annoying at the same time?

First and foremost, mosquitoes are extremely interesting insects due to their complex life cycles, their ability to adapt to different environments and the role they play in the transmission of diseases. These small insects are masters of survival, able to reproduce in a variety of conditions, from swamps to city puddles. For many of us, their presence is a nuisance, mainly because of the bite, which not only causes itching but can also lead to more serious health problems.

However, mosquitoes also play an important role in the ecosystem. They are an important link in the food chain, providing food for many species of birds, fish and other insects. Some species of mosquitoes also play a role in plant pollination. Therefore, although they are often seen as pests, their presence is essential for maintaining ecological balance.

By learning more about these small but omnipresent insects, we can better understand their place in nature and deal with their presence more effectively. In the following parts of this post, we will take a closer look at the life of mosquitoes, their habitats, life cycle and ways to protect against them. Do you know how important mosquitoes are in nature? Enjoy reading!

Definition and Classification

Mosquitoes are small insects belonging to the Culicidae family, which is part of the order Diptera. They are one of the most recognisable insects in the world, mainly known for their irritating bite, which causes itching and can lead to the transmission of various diseases. The Culicidae family includes over 3,500 species of mosquitoes, each with its own specific characteristics and habitat preferences.

Body structure

Mosquitoes have a slender, delicate body and long legs, which give them their characteristic appearance. The body structure of a mosquito is typical for insects and consists of three main parts: head, thorax and abdomen.

• Head: The mosquito’s head has large compound eyes that enable it to see in different directions. It also has a pair of antennae that are sensitive to odours and help it to detect hosts. However, the most important part of the head is the mouthparts in the form of a long, thin proboscis, which is used to pierce the skin and suck blood.
• Torso: The mosquito’s torso is more solid and has three pairs of legs and a pair of wings. The wings are transparent and have a characteristic veining, which gives them a delicate appearance. It is thanks to their wings that mosquitoes are able to travel long distances in search of hosts and places to reproduce.
• Abdomen: The abdomen is a segmented part of the mosquito’s body that contains the digestive and reproductive organs. In females, the abdomen can enlarge considerably when it is filled with blood after feeding. The segmentation of the abdomen allows for great flexibility and the possibility of increasing volume.

Mosquitoes, despite their small size, have a complex body structure that allows them to survive in different environments and effectively obtain food. Understanding these details of their structure allows us to better understand how they function and why they are such effective insects in their environment.

The Life Cycle of a Mosquito

Mosquitoes go through four main stages of development: egg, larva, pupa and adult. Each of these stages has its own specific characteristics and lasts for a different amount of time, depending on the species and environmental conditions.

• Eggs

1. 1. 1. Description: Female mosquitoes lay their eggs on the surface of stagnant water, in damp environments or on aquatic plants. Some species can lay their eggs in clusters, forming mats on the water.
      2. Duration: Mosquito eggs usually hatch within 2-3 days, but this time can be extended in colder conditions.

• Larvae

1. 1. 1. Description: Mosquito larvae, also known as wigglers, live in water. They are active and move in a characteristic wriggling motion. The larvae breathe through special breathing tubes that they extend above the water surface.
      2. Duration: This stage lasts between 7 and 14 days, depending on the temperature and availability of food. The larvae go through four growth stages, called instars, before transforming into pupae.

• Pupae

1. 1. 1. Description: The pupae, called ‘tumblers’, are also aquatic, but do not feed. In this stage, the mosquitoes prepare to transform into adults. The pupae are agile and can dive quickly when disturbed.
      2. Duration: The pupal stage lasts about 1-4 days, depending on environmental conditions such as water temperature.

• Adult Mosquitoes

1. 1. Description: After transforming from a pupa, adult mosquitoes emerge from the water. Males usually live for a short time, a few days, and their main task is to fertilise females. Females can live for several weeks or even months, depending on the species and conditions. Females need blood to produce eggs, so they bite animals and humans.
   2. Duration: The entire mosquito life cycle, from egg to adult insect, can take anywhere from 10 days to several weeks, depending on the species and environmental conditions.

Mosquitoes are highly adapted to different aquatic environments, which allows them to reproduce and survive effectively. Understanding the mosquito life cycle is crucial in the fight against their population, as it allows for more effective use of control methods such as eliminating breeding sites and applying insecticides at the right times.

Where do mosquitoes occur?

Mosquitoes are extremely versatile insects that can adapt to different types of environments. They prefer humid conditions, which are essential for their life cycle. Here are some natural mosquito habitats:

• Standing Water: Mosquitoes most commonly lay their eggs in stagnant water, such as puddles, ditches, ponds, swimming pools and various types of water containers. Standing water provides a safe place for the larvae and pupae to develop.
• Bogs and Wetlands: Bogs, wetlands, peat bogs and other areas with stagnant or slow-flowing water are ideal breeding grounds for many species of mosquitoes. These areas provide constant access to water and often abound in organic matter, which is a source of food for the larvae.
• Lakes and ponds: The shores of lakes and ponds, especially in areas with dense aquatic vegetation, are popular habitats for mosquitoes. In such places, mosquitoes can find shelter and suitable conditions for laying eggs.
• Rivers and streams: Although mosquitoes prefer stagnant water, some species can thrive in slow-flowing streams and rivers, especially in areas where the water is calmer.

Global distribution

Mosquitoes are found almost everywhere in the world, except in extremely cold regions such as Antarctica. They are present on all continents and in a wide range of climate zones, from the tropics to temperate regions.

• Tropics and Subtropics: The greatest number of mosquito species can be found in tropical and subtropical regions, where conditions are ideal for their development. The humid and warm climates of these zones favour the fast life cycle of mosquitoes and high activity throughout the year.
• Temperate zones: Mosquitoes are also common in temperate regions, although their activity can be seasonal, with higher numbers in the warmer months. In these zones, mosquitoes often hibernate in colder periods to survive the winter.
• Deserts and semi-deserts: Even in dry regions, mosquitoes can be found if they find suitable habitats with water. In such places, mosquitoes often take advantage of the periodic bodies of water that form after rain.
• Cities and built-up areas: Mosquitoes have also adapted well to life in cities and residential areas, where they can find numerous places to lay their eggs, such as gardens, sewers, rainwater tanks and other artificial bodies of water.

Mosquitoes are therefore extremely flexible insects that can find suitable living conditions almost anywhere. Their global range and ability to adapt to different habitats make them one of the most widespread insect species on Earth.

Female vs. Male: Only female mosquitoes bite – why is that?

In the world of mosquitoes, only the females are responsible for stinging and sucking blood. This is because the females need the proteins and iron contained in the blood to produce and lay eggs. Without this additional food, the females would not be able to reproduce. Male mosquitoes, on the other hand, feed on nectar and plant sap, which provide them with the necessary energy to survive, but they are not involved in egg production and therefore do not need blood.

The Stinging Mechanism: How Mosquitoes Sting and What Substances They Introduce into the Host’s Body

The process of mosquito stinging is complex and involves several steps:

1. Detection of the host: Mosquitoes use their antennae and other sensory organs to detect carbon dioxide, heat and odours emitted by the host.
2. Piercing the skin: Once the mosquito has found a suitable spot on the skin, it uses its long, thin mouthpart called the proboscis. The proboscis consists of several structures, including mandibles and maxillipeds, which help to pierce the skin.
3. Introduction of saliva: During the puncture, the mosquito injects its saliva into the wound, which contains various chemicals. Mosquito saliva contains anticoagulants (to prevent blood clotting), vasodilators (to facilitate blood flow) and analgesics (to reduce pain and itching during the bite).
4. Blood suction: After the saliva has been injected, the mosquito starts sucking blood, which flows through the proboscis into the insect’s digestive tract.

Body reactions: What are the typical reactions to mosquito bites and why do they itch?

After a mosquito bite, the host organism reacts to the chemicals introduced by the mosquito. Typical reactions include:

• Itching and redness: Mosquito saliva contains proteins that trigger an immune response in the body. The immune system responds by releasing histamine, which causes blood vessels to dilate and fluid to leak into the surrounding tissue. This is what causes the itching and redness around the bite.
• Swelling: The bite may become swollen due to fluid building up in the tissues. This is the result of an inflammatory reaction caused by the chemicals in the mosquito’s saliva.
• Pain: Some people may experience slight pain at the site of the bite, although this is usually short-lived.

Reactions to mosquito bites can vary depending on individual sensitivity and the number of bites. In some cases, bites can lead to more serious allergic reactions that require medical intervention.

Understanding the mechanism of mosquito bites and the body’s reaction can help to better deal with bites and prevent them more effectively.

Mosquitoes and Diseases

Mosquitoes are known to transmit various diseases that have serious health consequences for humans. Here are some of the most well-known mosquito-borne diseases:

• Malaria: A disease caused by protozoa of the genus Plasmodium and transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes. Malaria manifests itself through fever, shivering, headaches and muscle pain and can be fatal in severe cases.
• Dengue: A viral disease transmitted by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes. Symptoms include high fever, joint and muscle pain, rash and haemorrhages. In severe cases, it can lead to dengue shock syndrome, which is fatal.
• Zika: The Zika virus is transmitted by Aedes mosquitoes and can cause mild flu-like symptoms, but it is particularly dangerous for pregnant women as it can cause birth defects in the foetus, such as microcephaly.
• West Nile Fever: Transmitted by Culex mosquitoes. Most infected people have no symptoms, but some may experience fever, headaches, fatigue, muscle and joint pain. In rare cases, it can lead to encephalitis or meningitis.

Mechanism of Transmission

Mosquitoes transmit pathogens from one person to another with their mouthparts:

1. Blood Feeding: When an infected mosquito bites a human or animal, it takes in blood that contains pathogens (such as viruses, bacteria or protozoa).
2. Pathogen Development: The pathogens multiply in the mosquito’s body. For example, the malaria protozoa develop in the mosquito’s gut and then migrate to its salivary glands.
3. Transmission to a New Host: When the infected mosquito bites again, it introduces the pathogens contained in the saliva into the new host’s bloodstream. In this way, diseases are transmitted from one person to another.

Global statistics

Mosquito-borne diseases have a huge impact on public health worldwide. Here are some key statistics:

• Malaria: According to the World Health Organisation (WHO), there were around 241 million malaria cases and 627,000 deaths in 2020. Most cases and deaths occur in sub-Saharan Africa, mainly in children under the age of 5.
• Dengue fever: The WHO estimates that there are around 100-400 million dengue infections worldwide every year, of which 500,000 cases require hospitalisation and around 25,000 result in death.
• Zika: The Zika virus epidemic of 2015-2016 mainly affected Latin America and the Caribbean. By 2017, more than 200,000 cases of infection had been reported.
• West Nile fever: In the United States, there have been more than 50,000 reported cases of infection since 1999, when the virus was first detected, including more than 2,300 deaths.

Mosquitoes are not only annoying insects, but also a serious public health threat worldwide. Understanding the mechanisms of disease transmission and the statistics related to morbidity and mortality is crucial in the fight against these dangerous insects and the diseases they transmit.

How to Protect Yourself from Mosquitoes?

Protection against mosquitoes requires the use of various methods, both individual and environmental. Choosing the right personal protective equipment, mechanical and chemical methods of eliminating mosquitoes, and natural solutions can effectively reduce the risk of bites and related diseases. It is also important to educate yourself about best practices and to regularly apply effective protection methods.

Personal Protective Equipment

Repellents:

• DEET (N,N-diethyl-meta-toluamide): This is the most commonly used ingredient in repellents. It effectively repels mosquitoes and other insects. Available in different concentrations, which provide protection for different lengths of time.
• Icaridin (Picaridin): An alternative to DEET, less irritating to the skin, effective against mosquitoes.
• Eucalyptus lemon oil: A natural repellent, effective but with a shorter duration of action compared to chemical counterparts.

Protective Clothing:

• Wear long sleeves and trousers, especially in light colours, which are less attractive to mosquitoes.
• Use permethrin-treated clothing, an insecticide that repels mosquitoes.

Mosquito nets:

• Use mosquito nets on beds, especially in regions where mosquitoes carry dangerous diseases.
• Install mosquito nets on windows and doors to prevent mosquitoes from entering.

Mechanical and Chemical Methods

1. Mosquito Traps:
   1. CO2 Traps: Simulate human breathing, attracting mosquitoes and trapping them.
   2. UV light traps: Attract mosquitoes with ultraviolet light and eliminate them with an electric grid.
2. Insecticides:
   1. Aerosols and sprays: Used to eliminate mosquitoes indoors.
   2. Fogging: A method used on a large scale, especially in places with a high mosquito population, to spray insecticidal mists.

Natural solutions

1. Mosquito repellent plants:
   1. Catnip: Contains nepetalactone, which is effective in repelling mosquitoes.
   2. Lavender: Lavender oil has a repellent effect on mosquitoes.
   3. Basil: Basil essential oil has mosquito-repellent properties.
   4. Mint: Acts both as a repellent and as a plant that adds aesthetic value to the garden.
   5. Marigolds: Contain pyrethrin, a natural insecticide.
2. Home remedies:
   1. Essential oils: Use oils such as tea tree, eucalyptus, lemon or neem in a spray or on the skin.
   2. Scented candles and lamps: Citronella candles are commonly used to repel mosquitoes when spending time outdoors.
   3. Apple cider vinegar: It can be used as a mosquito repellent spray or added to the bath to prevent bites.

The importance of mosquitoes in the ecosystem

Mosquitoes play an important role in the ecosystem as an important link in the food chain. Here are some key aspects of their role as food for other animals:

• Mosquito larvae: Mosquito larvae living in the water are an important food source for many species of fish, amphibians, water insects and water birds. Their presence in water bodies supports biodiversity and the balance of aquatic ecosystems.
• Adult Mosquitoes: Adult mosquitoes are eaten by various predators such as birds, bats, spiders and predatory insects. Bats, in particular, can consume hundreds of mosquitoes in one night, which is important for controlling the mosquito population.
• Ecosystem balance: By acting as prey for many species, mosquitoes contribute to maintaining the ecosystem balance by influencing the populations of predators and other organisms that depend on them as a food source.

Pollination

Although mosquitoes are mainly known as bloodsuckers, some species also play a role in plant pollination. Here is how mosquitoes contribute to this process:

• Feeding on nectar: Like other pollinating insects, adult mosquitoes, especially males and non-blood-seeking females, feed on the nectar of flowers. While searching for food, they visit various flowers, transferring pollen from one plant to another.
• Specific species: Some species of mosquitoes are particularly associated with specific plants and contribute to their pollination. For example, mosquitoes of the genus Toxorhynchites are known to visit flowers and may play a role in pollination.
• Importance for Plants: Although the role of mosquitoes in pollination is less well known and less significant compared to bees or butterflies, their contribution to this process is an example of the complex and diverse interactions in nature.

Modern Mosquito Population Control Methods

The fight against mosquitoes and the diseases they transmit is an area of intensive scientific research and technological innovation. Here are some modern methods and research that are changing the way we control mosquito populations:

1. Male Sterilisation:
   1. Sterile Insect Technique (SIT): Sterile male mosquitoes are released into the environment. These sterile males compete with wild males for females, which leads to a reduction in the number of offspring and a reduction in the mosquito population.
   2. Genetic Modification: Genetic engineering allows the creation of mosquitoes that are genetically modified so that their offspring are not viable. The organisation Oxitec develops such mosquitoes, which have already been tested in several countries with promising results.
2. Biological Control:
   1. Introduction of Natural Predators: Promoting or introducing natural mosquito predators such as fish, frogs and predatory insects that can reduce the mosquito larvae population.
   2. Wolbachia bacteria: Wolbachia is a bacteria that can infect mosquitoes and prevent them from transmitting certain viruses, such as the dengue and Zika viruses. Introducing Wolbachia-infected mosquitoes into the wild mosquito population reduces their ability to transmit diseases.
3. Modern technologies:
   1. Smart Traps: Modern mosquito traps equipped with technologies that detect and identify different species of mosquitoes and their activity. Some of them use artificial intelligence to analyse data and optimise control strategies.
   2. Drones: Using drones to monitor and spray insecticides over hard-to-reach areas such as swamps and wooded areas.
4. Vaccine and Drug Research:
   1. Malaria Vaccines: The introduction of malaria vaccines, such as RTS,S/AS01 (also known as Mosquirix), which are undergoing further phases of clinical trials and implementation. These vaccines have the potential to significantly reduce the number of malaria cases.
   2. Antivirals and Antiviral Therapies: Research into drugs that can treat mosquito-borne viral infections such as dengue, Zika and West Nile fever.

Modern mosquito control methods and scientific research offer new hope in the fight against mosquito-borne diseases. Thanks to innovative technologies, genetic modification, biological control measures and advances in medicine, we have increasing opportunities to effectively manage mosquito populations and minimise threats to public health. These innovations and research are crucial for improving the health and quality of life in regions affected by mosquito-borne diseases.

Fumigation: An Effective Method of Mosquito Control

If you want to effectively control mosquitoes and minimise the risk of bites and disease transmission, it is worth using professional fumigation services. Mosquito control is a method that uses specialised insecticides and techniques such as fogging, spraying and the installation of traps to reduce mosquito populations in a specific area. These services are particularly useful during the summer season, in places with a high number of mosquitoes and in regions at risk of mosquito-borne diseases. With regular mosquito control, you can enjoy time outdoors without worrying about unpleasant bites and the associated health risks.