QUESTION

What is the structure and size of the mosquito?

ANSWER

The mosquitoes that transmit human malaria belong to the genus Anopheles. As such, they follow the general body plan structure of a flying insect—three segments (head, thorax and abdomen), three pairs of legs and two pairs of wings. Anopheles females have modified mouthparts that allow them to feed on blood, by inserting a specialized proboscis into the skin; male Anopheles feed on nectar and so do not possess the same type of mouthparts.

The size of the adult mosquito varies on factors such as the exact species, the larval environment and food availability, but the length of the body is rarely greater than 16mm and the total weight is usually less than 2.5 milligrams.