Identify the mosquito from the following image.

DSSSB 12 August 2024

Community Health Nursing

Easy

Appeared in: DSSSB 12 August 2024

Explanation

The mosquito in the image is identified as Aedes based on its key visual characteristics.
It displays a dark (black) body with prominent white stripes on its legs, a hallmark feature of the Aedes genus, often called the 'tiger mosquito'.
Its resting posture is parallel to the surface, which is consistent with the Culicini tribe (to which Aedes belongs) and helps differentiate it from the Anopheles mosquito.

Option A: Kimia is not a recognized genus of medically important mosquitoes in standard entomology or public health literature.
Option C: While Culex mosquitoes also rest parallel to the surface, they typically have a dull, brownish-grey body and lack the distinct black-and-white stripes seen in the image.
Option D: Anopheles mosquitoes are characterized by their unique resting posture, where the body is inclined at a 45-degree angle to the surface. The mosquito in the image is resting parallel to the surface. Anopheles also typically have spotted wings.

Clinical Relevance

Nursing practice connection: This is primarily an exam-oriented knowledge point with limited direct bedside application, so retain Identification of mosquito vectors based on morphological features as background academic context rather than a clinical decision trigger.
Accurate identification of mosquito vectors is critical for public health surveillance and implementing targeted control measures.
Identifying an Aedes mosquito in a community immediately raises concern for outbreaks of Dengue, Chikungunya, and Zika virus. Control efforts would then focus on eliminating artificial water containers (e.g., tires, flower pots, water coolers) where Aedes mosquitoes breed.
What if? If the mosquito were identified as Anopheles, the primary public health concern would be Malaria. Vector control strategies would shift to managing clean water bodies (like ponds and puddles) and using methods like indoor residual spraying (IRS) and insecticide-treated bed nets, as Anopheles often bite at night and rest indoors.

How to Approach the Question

First, carefully examine the mosquito in the provided image.
Focus on two key identifying features: body/leg markings and resting posture.
Note the distinct black and white stripes on the legs and body. This is a strong indicator.
Observe the angle of the mosquito's body relative to the surface it's on. It is parallel.
Compare these observations to the known characteristics of the options. The combination of white stripes and a parallel resting posture is unique to the Aedes mosquito among the choices.
Eliminate other options based on their differing characteristics: Anopheles rests at an angle, and Culex lacks the prominent stripes.

Concept Tested & Keywords

Concept Tested: Identification of mosquito vectors based on morphological features.
Stem keywords: Identify, mosquito, image
Lead-in keywords: BEST, MOST RELEVANT CLUE

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E6 Parks TextBook of Preventive & Social Medicine part 2 — Subpart B (pp 233-449 of 464) p. 87-89