PREVIOUSLY ASKED IN:
WBPSC Miscellaneous Preliminary 2019
Answer
Aedes Mosquito
Explanation
The carrier (vector) for the Dengue disease is the female 'Aedes aegypti' mosquito. Dengue is a viral infection caused by the Dengue virus (DENV). Aedes mosquitoes typically bite during the daytime and breed in clean, stagnant water, such as water collected in discarded tires, flower pots, and plastic containers. A severe form of the disease is known as Dengue Hemorrhagic Fever, characterized by a sudden drop in blood platelet counts.
Key Points
- > The Aedes mosquito is also the vector for Chikungunya, Yellow Fever, and the Zika virus.
- > The female Anopheles mosquito transmits the Plasmodium parasite, which causes Malaria.
- > The Culex mosquito is primarily responsible for transmitting Filariasis (Elephantiasis) and Japanese Encephalitis.
- > Dengue is caused by a virus (Flavivirus genus), not a bacteria or protozoa.
- > Aedes mosquitoes are distinctive with white markings on their legs and a marking in the form of a lyre on their thorax.
Additional Information
- >## Disease-Transmitting Mosquitoes| Mosquito Species | Diseases Transmitted | Breeding Ground | |---|---|---| | Female Aedes | Dengue, Chikungunya, Zika | Clean, stagnant water containers | | Female Anopheles | Malaria | Clean pools, marshes, streams | | Female Culex | Filariasis, Encephalitis | Dirty, polluted, sewage water |### Memory Tips - **Aedes & Dengue**: Remember the phrase "Aedes during the Day" – Aedes mosquitoes bite primarily during daytime. - **Only Females Bite**: Male mosquitoes feed exclusively on flower nectar
- > only females bite humans as they need blood protein to develop their eggs.