Mosquito Scientific Name, Genus, Classification, and Types

What is the scientific name for a mosquito? The mosquito scientific name is Culicidae.

Mosquitoes are small insects, but they play a big role in both nature and human health. Mosquitoes, buzzing and itching bites, exist almost everywhere on Earth. Many consider mosquitoes an annoying pest, but some species are responsible for severe diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Zika. In this article, we will explain the scientific name of a mosquito, its meaning, classification, genus, and the types of mosquitoes you should know.

What is the scientific name of mosquito?

Biological names of mosquitoes vary by species. The best-known species include:

• Aedes aegypti: the mosquito that carries dengue, Zika, and yellow fever Mosquito
• Anopheles gambiae: the main mosquito responsible for malaria
• Culex pipiens: common in the city, known for transmitting West Nile virus

These are the mosquitoes zoological names of mosquitoes based on the binomial nomenclature system used in biology and entomology.

Meaning and Pronunciation of Mosquito Scientific Name

Meaning:

Let’s break down the names:

• Aedes: Greek word meaning unpleasant or painful.
• Anopheles: From Greek, meaning useless
• Culex: Latin for mosquito or small fly

Pronunciation:

• Aedes aegypti: AY-deez eh-JIP-tie
• Anopheles gambiae: uh-NAH-fuh-leez GAM-bee-ay
• Culex pipiens: KYOO-leks PIP-ee-enz

These scientific names are used by scientists for human health care.

Biological Classification of Mosquito

The complete classification of mosquitoes in scientific terms is:

This breakdown helps you understand how the scientific name of a mosquito is scientifically formed.

Mosquito Genus and Species

• Genus Aedes includes aggressive daytime biters like Aedes aegypti.
• Genus Anopheles transmits malaria.
• Genus Culex contains the night biters.

Every genus of mosquito contains many species, with only a few being dangerous to humans.

Mosquito Facts and Importance

• Only female mosquitoes bite, as they need blood to lay eggs.
• When mosquitoes are not looking for blood, they feed on nectar.
• Mosquitoes are considered to be the deadliest animals on Earth due to the transmission of diseases.
• They possess special sensory organs that can detect heat from the body and CO₂ from human breath.

Mosquitoes have their place in the ecosystem, serving as nutrients for birds, fish, and insects.

Types of mosquitoes with their scientific names

There are more than 3,500 species of mosquitoes worldwide, but only a few are more common than the common copperhead: