INFORMATION ABOUT MOSQUITOES

Mosquitoes are known to transmit such serious diseases as malaria, yellow fever, filariasis, dengue fever, Japanese encephalitus and Ross river virus. In most species the females require a blood meal in order to mature their eggs, which are laid on the surface of water.

Mosquitoes are apparently attracted to their animal or human hosts by moisture, lactic acid, carbon dioxide, body heat, and movement. The mosquito's hum results from the high frequency of it's wingbeat; the female's slightly lower frequency may serve as a means of sex recognition.

Climate change could affect the range of mosquitoes and the deadly diseases they transmit. Global warming is causing a worldwide resurgence in mosquito-borne viruses, poised to enter new areas resulting in epidemics among people who have no immunity to them.The deadly disease Japanese encephalitus is poised to enter Australia. At least 300 people have died in Kenya from the world's worst outbreak of Rift Valley fever for two decades, following severe flooding.

There is a great deal of research being done on this topic, from all corners of the world :

1. Chagas' disease has left millions of South Americans crippled by heart disease and other chronic disorders. It kills tens of thousands every year. However within ten years the mosquito which spreads the parasite that causes the disease could be virtually wiped out by a plan to spray more than eight million homes with insecticide.This is the biggest insect control programme to be mounted since the

attempt to eradicate malarial mosquitoes in the 1960s.

2. A device claimed to be the world's most effective exterminator of mosquitoes was recently unveiled. It is based on a suction fan that kills insects by drawing them onto a fine mesh where they are stuck by a spinning nylon thread. The mosquitoes are attracted towards the machine by an ultraviolet light. The device is environmentally friendly compared to other methods .

3. An American study of insects killed by electric insect traps has found the traps are worthless for reduction of mosquitoes and biting flies.

4. Resarchers are investigating using genetic engineering to design mosquitoes which are incapable of carrying malaria parasites. The plan also involves spreading the genetically modified mosquitoes through natural mosquito populations.

5. Repellants found in frog secretions could be useful in the fight for protection against mosquitoes

and at the same time be safer and more environmentally friendly than those traditionally used.

Research will continue as the fact remains that malaria is a wosening problem world-wide.

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