Journal of Mosquito Research, 2024, Vol.14, No.5, 256-263 http://emtoscipublisher.com/index.php/jmr 257 transmitting malaria, particularly species like Anopheles gambiae. Aedes aegypti is the primary vector for dengue and Zika viruses, while Culex species, such as Culex pipiens, are the main vectors for West Nile virus and other flaviviruses. These mosquitoes vary in their geographic distribution, host preference, and capacity to transmit pathogens, making them key players in global public health concerns (Nagaki et al., 2020; Hoyos et al., 2021). 2.2 Life cycle and ecological adaptations Mosquitoes go through four stages in their life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The adult stage is when mosquitoes become vectors of diseases. Mosquitoes like Aedes aegypti have adapted to urban environments, laying eggs in small containers of stagnant water. Other species, such as Anopheles gambiae, prefer rural or forested habitats where there are larger bodies of water. These species also exhibit ecological adaptations like high reproductive capacity and tolerance to different environmental conditions, allowing them to thrive in varied settings. 2.3 Feeding behavior and host preference Feeding behavior in mosquitoes is essential for their role as vectors. Most disease-transmitting mosquitoes are hematophagous, requiring a blood meal for egg production. Species like Aedes aegypti and Anopheles gambiae exhibit strong preferences for human blood, which increases the risk of pathogen transmission to humans. Other species, such as Culex pipiens, are more opportunistic and feed on a wider range of hosts, including birds and mammals. Host selection is influenced by factors like host availability, olfactory cues, and environmental conditions (Ruiz-López, 2020; Yan et al., 2021). 3 Pathogens Transmitted by Mosquitoes 3.1 Viruses (e.g., Dengue, Zika, West Nile) Mosquitoes are vectors of several significant arboviruses, including dengue, Zika, and West Nile viruses, which pose global health challenges. Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes are the primary vectors for both dengue and Zika viruses. These mosquitoes thrive in tropical and subtropical regions and have adapted to urban environments, making them key players in the transmission of these viruses (Gao et al., 2019). West Nile virus, transmitted mainly by Culex mosquitoes, causes outbreaks in both humans and animals, particularly in temperate regions. The interaction between mosquito microbiota and these viruses can influence transmission dynamics, either enhancing or reducing the vector’s competence to spread these pathogens (Chandler et al., 2015; Hegde et al., 2015). 3.2 Parasites (e.g., Malaria, Filariasis) Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites, is transmitted primarily by Anopheles mosquitoes. This parasite undergoes a complex life cycle within the mosquito, where it develops before being transmitted to humans. Filariasis, particularly lymphatic filariasis, is caused by parasitic nematodes like Wuchereria bancrofti and transmitted by several mosquito species, including Culex, Aedes, and Anopheles. Filariasis is endemic in tropical regions and leads to severe deformities such as elephantiasis (Simões et al., 2018). 3.3 Bacteria and other microorganisms Mosquitoes can also harbor and transmit bacteria and other microorganisms, influencing their ability to spread viral and parasitic diseases. For example, Wolbachia bacteria, commonly found in mosquitoes, have been shown to inhibit the transmission of dengue and malaria parasites (Cirimotich et al., 2011). Wolbachia manipulates the mosquito’s immune system, reducing the vector’s capacity to harbor these pathogens. Other microorganisms, such as fungi and viruses specific to mosquitoes, also shape their vector competence by altering their physiology and interactions with transmitted pathogens (Heu and Gendrin, 2018; Altinli et al., 2021). 4 Mechanisms of Pathogen Acquisition and Transmission 4.1 Mosquito-pathogen molecular interactions The interaction between mosquitoes and the pathogens they transmit involves a complex interplay of molecular mechanisms. Arboviruses, such as dengue and chikungunya, must first infect the mosquito midgut, where they
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