Anopheles pseudopunctipennis
| Anopheles pseudopunctipennis | |
|---|---|
| |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Culicidae |
| Genus: | Anopheles |
| Subgenus: | Anopheles |
| Species: | A. pseudopunctipennis
|
| Binomial name | |
| Anopheles pseudopunctipennis Theobald, 1901
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Anopheles pseudopunctipennis is a species of mosquito belonging to the Anopheles genus.
Distribution
This species is widely distributed across the Americas, from the southern United States to northern Argentina, including the Andes and the Lesser Antilles. It is particularly prevalent in foothills and valleys of mountainous regions, where it thrives in arid environments.[1][2]
The larvae of An. pseudopunctipennis are found in sunlit freshwater pools, often located in dry, arid valleys or foothills. These pools typically contain clear, shallow water with abundant filamentous green algae, which serve as a primary habitat for immature stages. The species is most active during the dry season when such breeding sites are more common.[3]
Medical importance
As a major malaria vector in the Americas, An. pseudopunctipennis is responsible for transmitting Plasmodium vivax and other malaria-causing protozoans to humans. It plays a particularly critical role in malaria transmission during the dry season when other mosquito species may be less active.[4]
Studies have shown that reducing filamentous algae in breeding sites can significantly lower larval densities and adult populations of An. pseudopunctipennis. Such interventions are important for controlling malaria transmission in endemic areas.[3]
References
- ^ Manguin, Sylvie; Roberts, Donald R.; Andre, Richard G.; Rejmankova, Eliska; Hakre, Shilpa (1996-03-01). "Characterization of Anopheles darlingi (Diptera: Culicidae) Larval Habitats in Belize, Central America". Journal of Medical Entomology. 33 (2): 205–211. doi:10.1093/jmedent/33.2.205. ISSN 1938-2928.
- ^ Pinault, Lauren L.; Hunter, Fiona F. (2012-05-01). "Characterization of larval habitats of Anopheles albimanus, Anopheles pseudopunctipennis, Anopheles punctimacula, and Anopheles oswaldoi s.l. populations in lowland and highland Ecuador". Journal of Vector Ecology. 37 (1): 124–136. doi:10.1111/j.1948-7134.2012.00209.x. ISSN 1081-1710.
- ^ a b Bond, J. G.; Rojas, J. C.; Arredondo–Jiménez, J. I.; Quiroz-Martínez, H.; Valle, J.; Williams, T. (2004-10-22). "Population control of the malaria vectorAnopheles pseudopunctipennisby habitat manipulation". Proceedings of the Royal Society of London. Series B: Biological Sciences. 271 (1553): 2161–2169. doi:10.1098/rspb.2004.2826. ISSN 0962-8452.
- ^ Rueda, Leopoldo M.; Peyton, E. L.; Manguin, Sylvie (2004-01-01). "Anopheles (Anopheles) pseudopunctipennisTheobald (Diptera: Culicidae): Neotype Designation and Description". Journal of Medical Entomology. 41 (1): 12–22. doi:10.1603/0022-2585-41.1.12. ISSN 0022-2585.