Aedes
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Aedes (also known as the tiger mosquito<ref>Template:Cite book</ref>) is a genus of mosquitoes originally found in tropical and subtropical zones, but now found on all continents except Antarctica. Some species have been spread by human activity: Aedes albopictus, a particularly invasive species, was spread to the Americas, including the United States, in the 1980s, by the used-tire trade.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
It was first described and named by German entomologist Johann Wilhelm Meigen in 1818; the generic name comes from Ancient Greek {{#invoke:Lang|lang}} ({{#invoke:Lang|lang}}), meaning 'unpleasant' or 'odious'. The type species for Aedes is Aedes cinereus.<ref name="wrbu">{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}.</ref>
Systematics and phylogenyEdit
The genus was named by Johann Wilhelm Meigen in 1818. The generic name comes from the Ancient Greek {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, {{#invoke:Lang|lang}}, meaning 'unpleasant'Template:Vague<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> or 'odious'.
As historically defined, the genus contains more than 950 species (see the list of Aedes species). The genus has been divided into several subgenera (Aedes, Diceromyia, Finlaya, Stegomyia, etc.), most of which have been recently treated by some authorities as full genera.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The classification was revised in 2009.<ref name="reinert2009">Template:Cite journal</ref>
CharacteristicsEdit
Aedes mosquitoes are visually distinctive because they have noticeable black and white markings on their bodies and legs. Unlike most other mosquitoes, they are active and bite only during the daytime. The peak biting periods are early in the morning and in the evening before dusk.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref><ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref>
As disease vectorsEdit
Members of the genus Aedes are known vectors for numerous viral infections, including dengue fever, yellow fever, the Zika virus,<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> and chikungunya, which are transmitted by species in the subgenus Stegomyia such as A. aegypti and A. albopictus.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> Infections with these viruses are typically accompanied by a fever, and in some cases, encephalitis, which can lead to death. A vaccine to provide protection from yellow fever exists, and measures to prevent mosquito bites include insecticides such as DDT, mosquito traps, insect repellents, mosquito nets, and pest control using genetically modified insects.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In Polynesia, the species Aedes polynesiensis is responsible for the transmission of human lymphatic filariasis.
Aedes can be detected and monitored by ovitraps.
SequencingEdit
The genome of the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) was sequenced by the Broad Institute and the Institute for Genomic Research. The initial assembly was released in August 2005; a draft sequence of the genome and preliminary analysis was published in June 2007.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> The annotated genome is available at VectorBase.<ref>{{#invoke:citation/CS1|citation |CitationClass=web }}</ref> An updated and improved version of the Aedes aegypti genome was released in 2018.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref>
See alsoEdit
ReferencesEdit
External linksEdit
- Singapore Government dengue site that describes the mosquito
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