Anopheles gambiae Giles, 1902
Taxon biology:
Eggs are laid singly on water surface by female; each egg has its own float. Larvae are fully aquatic (found mostly in agricultural and disturbed water pools) and feed by filtering microorganisms such as bacteria and algae. After pupation, adults emerge and mate in swarms. Males feed on nectar and other sugar sources, while females require a blood meal to develop eggs (anautogenous). Females of Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto are anthropophilic. A. gambiae transmits Plasmodium falciparum, the major causitive agent of human malaria.
Distribution:
Sub-Saharan and Central Africa [Anopheles gambiae sensu stricto]