Mosquitoes (Diptera: Culicidae)

The family Culicidae within the order Diptera, the two-winged flies, comprises of approximately 3,500 species of mosquitoes. This family of nematocerous (long-horned primitive flies whose larval head is well developed with laterally moving mandibles) flies is divided into three subfamilies, Toxorhynchitinae, Anophelinae, and Culicinae. There are 37 genera of mosquitoes.

Distribution

Mosquitoes live in humid tropics and subtropics, warm moist climates, temperate and cool zones, everywhere except areas that are permanently frozen.

Metamorphosis

Mosquitoes undergo holometabolous, or complete, metamorphosis, meaning their life cycle includes four distinct forms: eggs, larvae, pupae, and adults. Their eggs require water to hatch. The larvae develop through four instars before they transform into active, non-feeding pupae. The adult’s wings, sucking mouthparts, and legs can be seen through the transparent pupal skin. The adult emerges from the pupal skin onto the surface of the water, and...