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The scientific name of mosquitoes is Culicidae. Mosquitoes are insects that belong to the clan Diptera and suborder Nematocera. The family which mosquitoes belong to is known as “Culicidae”, a word derived from Latin, which translates to “gnat” (meaning: a type of very small fly that bites). Over 110 genera and 3600 species of mosquitoes have been recorded under the family Culicidae till date.
| Table of Contents |
Key words: Mosquitoes, Scientific Names, Culicidae, Malaria, Dengue, Diptera, Nematocera
Classification of Mosquitoes
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Mosquitoes belong to the clan Diptera which also includes midges and maggots and suborder Nematocera which is one of the three large groups that form Diptera. Following this, the family of mosquitoes is called Culicidae which is further divided into two subfamilies, namely:
- Anopheles Gambiae
- Culiseta Longiareolata
| Order | Diptera |
| Sub-Order | Nematocera |
| Family | Culicidae |
| Sub-Families | Anopheles Gambiae Culiseta Longiareolata |
In reference to a particular group of mosquitoes, both the female and male mosquitoes play different roles in the life cycle. The females are known to have long mouth parts that are present for the purpose of piercing and sucking blood needed for breeding. The female mosquitoes usually prefer warm blooded animals, and upon biting, inject a salivary fluid into the wound which causes irritation and itching on the wound. On the other hand, the male counterpart had rudimentary mouthparts and feeds on nectar and water.
It has been discovered that a major category of infectious diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue etc. are transmitted through a mosquito bite.
Learn More About:
| Other Concepts Related to this Topic | ||
|---|---|---|
| Biodiversity in Plants and Animals | Diversity in Living Organism | Flora and Fauna |
| Living Things | Taxonomic Hierarchy | Scientific Names |
Facts about Mosquitoes
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The following are some popular facts and characteristics about mosquitoes (Culicidae):
- There are over 3600 species of mosquitoes all around the globe.
- Mosquitoes have a very short life span and are expected to live out for two months on an average.
- Mosquitoes, scientifically known as Culicidae, are rumored to be as old as the dinosaurs.
- Only female mosquitoes bite humans, mainly because the female mosquitoes need the protein and nutrients essential for the production and development of the egg from the blood.
- Mosquitoes usually remember the smell of their hosts, which makes it easier for them to locate the host and bite them.
- Mosquitoes are also attracted to Carbon Dioxide. It is one of the ways by which they find their next host. Mosquitoes have a special organ called “maxillary palp” which helps them to follow the smell of Carbon Dioxide released while breathing.
| Other Concepts Related to This Chapter | ||
|---|---|---|
| Genus | Difference Between Biology And Zoology | Metabolism |
| Cellular Organization | Taxonomy | Living Organisms |
| Microorganisms | Biodiversity | Five Kingdom Classification |
| Cell Organelles | Herbarium | Extinction |
Things to Remember
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- The scientific name of a mosquito is Culicidae.
- There are over 3600 species of mosquitoes.
- Mosquitoes choose their host either by their body odor or because of their attraction to carbon dioxide.
- Only female mosquitoes are known to bite and collect blood. This is mainly for the purpose of generation of eggs.
- Mosquitoes can spread various diseases such as dengue and malaria.
Previous Year Questions
- The label of a herbarium sheet does not carry information…? (NEET 2016)
- Karyotaxonomy is the modern branch of classification which is based on…? (MU OET 2013)
- In binomial nomenclature…? (KCET 1991)
- Binomial nomenclature was first introduced by…?
- Which of the following pairs of specific names belongs to same common genus…?
- Systema Naturae was written by…?
- The first phylogenetic system of plant classification was proposed by…? (JIPMER 2004)
- Phenetic classification is based on…? (MU OET 2012)
- The correct sequence of taxonomic hierarchy is…? (KCET 2018)
- Which one of taxonomic aids can give comprehensive account of complete compiled information of any one genus…? (KEAM)
- Choose the correct sequence in the hierarchy of taxonomic categories in descending order…? (KEAM)
- ICBN stands for..? (NEET 2007)
- A taxon is…? (NEET 1990)
- Which one of the following aspects is an exclusive characteristic of living things…? (NEET 2011)
- Which one of the following is not a correct statement…? (NEET 2013)
- Identify from the following, the only taxonomic category that has a real existence… (KCET 2006)
- Which of the following statement(s) about taxonomical aids is/are true? I. Keys are used to identify plants and animals based on similarities…? (KEAM)
Sample Questions
Ques: What is the scientific name of mosquitoes? (1 mark)
Ans: Mosquitoes belong to the order Diptera and family Culicidae which is further classified into two categories: Anophelinae and Culicinae.
Ques: What are mosquitoes attracted to? (1 mark)
Ans: Mosquitoes are generally attracted to the carbon dioxide that humans and other animals emit while breathing.
Ques: What do mosquitoes do after biting? (1 mark)
Ans: A female mosquito feeds on blood until she is full to produce and develop her eggs and then lays them a few days later.
Ques: Why do mosquito bites itch? (1 mark)
Ans: Mosquitoes release their saliva into the wound after biting the host which causes swelling and irritation in the wound area.
Ques: Do mosquitoes spread diseases? (1 mark)
Ans: Yes, mosquitoes spread various diseases such as dengue, malaria, zika virus, yellow fever etc. in humans that can turn out to be serious.
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