Culex facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Culex |
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| Culex sp. male | |
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Culicinae
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Culex
Linnaeus, 1758
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| Diversity | |
| Over 1000 species | |
Culex is a type of mosquito often called the common house mosquito. There are over 1,000 different kinds, or species, of Culex mosquitoes. These tiny insects can carry and spread important diseases between birds, humans, and other animals. When an animal or person gets sick from a disease carried by an insect, we say the insect is a vector.
Contents
What are Culex Mosquitoes?
Culex mosquitoes are small flying insects. They belong to the larger group of insects called mosquitoes. Like all mosquitoes, they have long, thin bodies, six legs, and two wings. They also have a special mouthpart called a proboscis, which they use to feed.
Where Do They Live?
Culex mosquitoes can be found all over the world. They often live near people. This is because they like to lay their eggs in still, standing water. This can be in puddles, old tires, bird baths, or even clogged gutters.
How Do They Spread Diseases?
Female Culex mosquitoes need blood to produce their eggs. When a mosquito bites an infected animal or person, it can pick up tiny germs. These germs can be viruses or other tiny living things. When the mosquito bites another animal or person, it can pass these germs on. This is how they vector diseases.
Diseases Carried by Culex
Culex mosquitoes are known to carry several serious diseases. One well-known disease is West Nile virus. This virus can make people and animals very sick. It can cause fever, headaches, and sometimes more serious problems.
They also spread other diseases like arbovirus infections. Arboviruses are a group of viruses spread by arthropods, like mosquitoes. Another disease they can spread is filariasis. This is a parasitic disease that can cause swelling and other health issues.
A Big Discovery
For a long time, people did not fully understand how diseases like malaria spread. A British Army doctor named Major Ronald Ross made a very important discovery. He showed that Culex mosquitoes could carry the malaria parasite. This was a huge step in understanding and fighting malaria.
Ronald Ross received a Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1902 for his amazing work. His discovery helped scientists learn more about how diseases are spread. This knowledge has saved many lives around the world.
Images for kids
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Culex malariager in amber
See also
In Spanish: Culex para niños
