Mosquitoes are the flying insects, Only female mosquito bite the humans /animals and suck the blood which is required for egg development, about 300 eggs are ready to lay after each bite. Mosquitoes go through four instars in their lifecycles: egg, larva, pupa, and adult some species female mosquitoes lay their eggs in stagnant water; some lay eggs near the water's edge; others attach their eggs to aquatic plants. Each species selects the situation of the water into which it lays its eggs and does so according to its own ecological adaptations.
Some breeding places like plant pots, unused tyres , plastic covering over roofs , near by places to water leakage tanks, taps.
The mosquito species and diseases caused by them are as follows…..
Anopheles spp- Responsible for causing Malaria. Anopheles breeds in stagnant collection of clean water such as ponds, lakes, overhead tanks, underground tanks etc. They laid eggs singly, this mosquito is active in dusk hours.
Culex Spp- Responsible for causing Filariasis, which cause fever and acute swelling of the lymph glands. Culex breed in stagnant collection of polluted water such as drains, gutter septic tanks etc. They laid eggs in cluster, it is common house mosquito and a major nuisance after dusk, baiting heavily, leading to sleepless nights.
Aedes spp- Responsible for causing Dengue and Chikun gunya, Aedese breeds in manmade collections of clean water such as water coolers, pots, old tyres , water cans, empty bottles, flower vessels etc. They laid eggs in mud; this mosquito is day biter with characteristic sharp pain.
MOSQUITO CONTROL MEASURES:
Some Mosquito Breeding Places
1. Destruction of larvae (Anti larval treatment):- Spraying of mosquito larvecidal oil / Anti Larval Spray on infested stagnant water bodies such as puddle, pith of tyre filled with water, septic tanks, drainages, nalas, collected rain water, etc
2. Destruction of adult mosquitoes (Adulticidal treatment):- Spraying of residual insecticide will be done on the resting places of mosquitoes such as outer wall of the built up structure (Approximate 2 meter band on the wall & floor from the external perimeter wall & floor junction), surrounding herbs (Bushy vegetation), entry / exit doors, window, exhaust openings etc.
3. Thermal Fogging: The adulticidal treatment can be supplemented with fogging with a suitable chemical during dusk hours when the mosquito/flying insect activity is maximum.
MOSQUITOES AS VECTORS:
- There are more than 257 species of Moaquitoes in India
- Mosquitoes are called vectors because they transmit serious diseases to human being
- Only Female mosquito bites. They required blood of human being or other warm blooded animals for maturation of their eggs.
- Transmit disease causing microorganisams into the body therby cause diseases like Malaria, Dengue etc.
| TYPE OF MOSQUITO |
DISEASES |
| Anopheles |
Malaria |
| Culex |
Lymphatic Filariasis, Japanese Encephalitis |
| Aedes |
Dengue & Chikungunya |
| Mansonia |
Lymphatic Filariasis |
MALARIA
Anopheles culcifacieus & Anopheles stephensi are the main vector of malaria in India
Resting Habits:
- Rests during Day Time in human dwellings & Cattle Sheds
Breeding Places:
-
Breeds in Rainwater pools & puddles, burrow pits, river bed pools,irrigation channels, seepages, wells, pond margins etc.
LIFE CYCLE:
-
Eggs are either laid singly or in bunch on the surface of the water, Anopheles Mosquitoes lay 50-200 brown or blakish boat shaped or oval eggs
- Incubation period of the eggs varies from 2-3 days depending on the normal climatic conditions & type of species.
- The Larvae go through 4 instars in period of about 4-10days.
- Anopheles larvae remain parallel to the surface of the water.
- Adult Female can live up to 1 month.
Activity Period:
Anopheles Mosquitoes Most Active in Two times: Just before dawn and Right after darkness sets in.
DENGUE:
Aedes aegypti & Aedes albopictus are important vectors of Dengue Virus.
-
The larval stage of Dengue vectors can develop in very small volumes of water in various man-made containers, such a discarded bottles, vases and stack of Tyres.
- Dengue is transmitted by the infective bite of Aedes Mosquito.
- A person develop disease after 5-6 days of being bitten by an infected mosquito
Breeding Places:
-
Day time Mosquito, breeds in clear and clean water
- Uncovered water containers in homes
- Water Tanks
- Discarded Tyres
- Garden Plants Pot Trays etc.
LIFE CYCLE
-
Eggs can remain viable for over a year in a dry state and hatch when submerged in water
- Depending on temperature conditions, Aedes mosquitoes may require 7-10 days to complete egg, larvae & pupal stages.
- Adult Mosquitoes can live for 2-4 weeks
HOW TO DETECT DENGUE MOSQUITO
-
They have Black & White striped body and legs
- They are painful and persistant biters & usually bite during day time.