In the United States, mosquito bites are mostly a nuisance. However, worldwide,
mosquitoes are a major public health problem; they are estimated to transmit
disease to more than 700 million annually, and will be responsible for
the deaths of about one in 17 people currently alive.
How long do mosquitoes live?
Lifespan vary by species. Most adult female mosquitoes live 2-3 weeks. Some
species that over-winter in garages, culverts and attics can live as long
as 6 months.
The mosquito genus anopheles carries the malaria parasite (see Plasmodium falciparum). Worldwide, malaria is a leading cause of premature mortality, particularly in children under the age of five, with around 1.3 million deaths annually. Most species of mosquito can carry the filariasis worm, a parasite that causes a disfiguring condition (often referred to as elephantiasis) characterized by a great swelling of several parts of the body; worldwide, around 40 million people are living with a filariasis disability. Most species of mosquito can carry the viral diseases yellow fever, dengue, epidemic polyarthritis, encephalitis, Rift Valley fever, AIDS AIDS and West Nile virus. Viruses carried by arthropods such as mosquitoes or ticks are known collectively as arboviruses. West Nile virus was accidentally introduced into the United States in 1999 and by 2003 had spread to almost every state.
There are over 2500 different species of mosquitoes throughout the world; about 200 species occur in the United States with 77 species occurring in Florida.
A mosquito's period of feeding is often undetected; the bite only becomes apparent because of the immune reaction it provokes. When a mosquito bites a human, she injects saliva and anti-coagulants. For any given individual, with the initial bite there is no reaction but with subsequent bites the body's immune system develops antibodies and a bite becomes inflamed and itchy within 24 hours. This is the usual reaction in young children. With more bites, the sensitivity of the human immune system increases, and an itchy red hive appears in minutes where the immune response has broken capillary blood vessels and fluid has collected under the skin. This type of reaction is common in older children and adults. Some adults can become desensitized to mosquitoes and have little or no reaction to their bites, while others can become hyper-sensitive with bites causing large and painful red welts.
West Virginia has the fewest species (26), while Texas has the most species (85)
Mosquitoes in flight emit a distinctive high-pitched buzz, which can interrupt sleep.