World Mosquito Day – August 20
World mosquito day honors the malaria work of Sir Ronald Ross.
World Mosquito Day is observed on August 20th to mark the historic discovery by British doctor Sir Ronald Ross in 1897 that malaria is transmitted between humans by female Anopheles mosquitoes. His discovery laid the foundations for scientists across the world to better understand the deadly role of mosquitoes in disease transmission and come up with effective innovative interventions.
Interesting facts about mosquitoes:
- Mosquitoes are carriers for some of humanity’s most deadly illnesses, including malaria, West Nile virus, yellow fever, dengue fever and encephalitis.
- There are more than 3,000 species of mosquitoes but three are primarily responsible for the spread of human diseases: (1) Anopheles mosquitoes carry malaria and also transmit filariasis (also called elephantiasis) and encephalitis. (2) Culex mosquitoes carry Saint Louis encephalitis, Eastern Equine encephalitis, various other encephalitis, filariasis, and the West Nile virus. (3) Aedes mosquitoes carry yellow fever, dengue, chikungunya, and encephalitis.
- Mosquitoes use exhaled carbon dioxide, body odors and temperature, and movement to home in on their victims.
- Only female mosquitoes have the mouth parts necessary for sucking blood. They use the blood not for their own nourishment but as a source of protein for their eggs. For food, both males and females eat nectar and other plant sugars.
- All mosquitoes need water to breed, so eradication and population-control efforts usually involve removal or treatment of standing water sources. Insecticide spraying to kill adult mosquitoes is also widespread.
National Geographic.com
Read more at:
http://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/history/ross.html
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/bugs/mosquito/
http://www.oneindia.com/feature/world-mosquito-day-you-need-know-about-it-1843830.html