Mosquito Species
Learning Resources · Species

Mosquito
Species

Three genera in East Africa account for nearly all mosquito-borne disease. Each looks different, bites at a different hour, and breeds in a different habitat. Scroll through each one.

01Anopheles
02Aedes
03Culex
Anopheles
Anopheles
An. gambiae · An. arabiensis
Night biter — dusk to dawn
Genus 01 of 03 · Malaria vector
Anopheles
Anopheles mosquitoes are the only mosquitoes that transmit malaria parasites. They are commonly found in rural areas near natural water bodies.
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Resting at 45° — body held at an angle to the surface.
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Palps as long as the proboscis — three organs roughly the same length.
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Wings may have dark spots or scales
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Breeds in clean, sunlit water
Protection
Long-lasting insecticidal nets (LLINs) are the most effective method.
Aedes
Aedes
Ae. aegypti · Ae. albopictus
Day biter — morning + afternoon
Genus 02 of 03 · Dengue vector
Aedes
Aedes mosquitoes transmit dengue, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever. They thrive in urban environments. Nets used only at night provide no protection.
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Black and white banding on legs and body segments.
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Lyre-shaped white markings on the thorax.
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Aggressive daytime biters — peak activity during early morning and late afternoon.
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Breeds in artificial containers near human habitation.
Protection
Eliminate all standing water in containers weekly. Apply repellent during the day.
Culex
Culex
Culex quinquefasciatus
Night biter — after sunset
Genus 03 of 03 · Filariasis vector
Culex
Culex mosquitoes transmit lymphatic filariasis. These are common brown house mosquitoes found in both urban and rural settings.
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Uniform brown coloration — no distinctive markings.
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Body rests parallel to the surface. Blunt, rounded abdomen tip.
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Nocturnal feeder — peak biting first few hours after sunset.
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Breeds in polluted water with high organic content.
Protection
Maintain clean drainage systems. Participate in MDA campaigns. Use nets at night.
01

Three rules to remember

♀
The biology
Only Females Bite
Every mosquito bite — and every disease Message — comes exclusively from a female seeking blood proteins.
100%of biting mosquitoes are female
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The hour
Different Hour, Different Threat
Match your protection to the genus active at that specific hour. Nets at night stop Anopheles but not daytime Aedes.
3different biting hours
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The intervention
Remove the Water
All three genera need standing water to breed. Eliminating water sources stops all three simultaneously.
3 of 3genera dependent on water
ID
The identification
Posture Tells Genus
Anopheles rests at 45°. Aedes and Culex rest horizontally. You can tell them apart without a microscope.
1 lookto distinguish all three
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Continue learning

Diseases
Malaria · Dengue · Chikungunya · Filariasis

How disease agents move through the mosquito and into the human host — symptoms and Message.

Learn more →
Life Cycle
Egg · Larva · Pupa · Adult · 7–10 days

How any mosquito moves from egg to biting adult in under two weeks.

Explore →
Anopheles Identification Key
Afrotropical Region · Female Anopheles · Interactive Key

An interactive digital key for the identification of female Anopheles mosquitoes of the Afrotropical region.

Identify →