WORLD MOSQUITO DAY 2022: The word Mosquito is derived from the Spanish and Portuguese language which means little fly. Apart from the fact that mosquitoes are very annoying little flies that take joy in disturbing people's peace and do nothing apart from biting people and making unnecessary noise. Mosquito-borne diseases such as malaria and dengue  spread more during the monsoons. Even though it is curable and preventable, it threatens the lives of millions across the globe.

Despite their tiny size, mosquitoes are known to be responsible for millions of deaths every year. They are counted amongst the world's most lethal insects as they can cause many deadly diseases. World Mosquito Day is observed to recognise the anniversary of the discovery that mosquitoes transmit the parasite that causes malaria.

This day is observed on August 20 in order to honour Sir Ronald Ross who discovered the true source of malaria, Dr Ross was responsible for making the discovery that female mosquitoes are responsible for causing malaria in 1897. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness about the causes of malaria and how it can be prevented.

According to the latest  world malaria report, there were 241 million cases  of malaria in 2020 compared to 227 million cases in 2019. The estimated number of malaria deaths stood at 627000 in 2020- an increase of 69000 deaths over the previous year. 

The WHO African Region continues to carry a disproportionately high share of the global malaria burden. In 2020 the Region was home to 95% of all malaria cases and 96% of deaths. Children under 5 years of age accounted for about 80% of all malaria deaths in the Region.

Read more: How Mosquitoes Transmit Diseases

The first thing to know is that mosquitoes are members of a group of almost 3600 species of flies in the family Culicidae. The female mosquito lives for 42 to 56 days, while the male mosquito lives for just 10 days.

Life Cycle

Egg 》 Larvae 》 Pupa 》 Adult

• Egg: The eggs hatch when exposed to water.
• Larva: The larva lives in the water which the eggs are hatches, they feed on decaying microorganisms, and they excrete nutrients that encourage plant growthPupa: The larva grows and molts 4 times before changing into Pupa. Here, they pause their feeding habit and rest while they undergo metamorphosis for 2 days before they become Adult mosquito
• Adult: After drying up, the Adult flies away and fees on nectar from flowers and other plants. They are very useful pollinators who help flowers bloom.

Mosquito infestation can be prevented. To prevent it, repair holes in screens or windows, better still, use mosquito net for the windows and beds, use air conditioning, if available. Stop mosquitoes from laying eggs in or near water. Once a week, empty and scrub, turn over, cover, or throw out items that hold water, such as tires, buckets, planters, toys, pools, birdbaths, flowerpots, or trash containers. And finally, invite a pest control professional to help you to get rid of mosquitoes.

Make sure you stay safe, if you have malaria, see your medical doctor.

Take Home Notes:

• Only female mosquitoes feed on blood
• Blood meal is a small portion of her diet because she needs it only to reproduce.
• Mosquitoes need sugar to survive. They get it from nectar and plant sap
• With millions of nectar-loving mosquitoes around, plants spread and increase in diversity.