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This tiny mosquito: What's the secret to Culex pipiens' survival in cities?
Mosquitoes, seemingly insignificant little insects, have shown amazing adaptability in urban environments. The common house mosquito (Culex pipiens) is a widespread mosquito species found almost everywhere in cities in the Northern Hemisphere. This tiny insect possesses many secrets for survival, especially in cities with poor sanitation management, where their numbers can surge and even become the main vector for some viruses.
Culex pipiens has been proven to be a transmitter of a variety of infectious diseases, including West Nile virus and St. Louis encephalitis virus.
C. pipiens has a wide distribution and can be found on every continent except Antarctica. They are most commonly found in humid environments, and their living conditions are quite flexible. This mosquito usually breeds in natural shallow waters, stagnant water, and water bodies created by human activities.
Habitat environment and ecology
In urban environments, C. pipiens is able to exploit various human activities to thrive. The larvae of these mosquitoes can be found in a variety of water bodies, including sewage ditches and oil drums that are considered uninhabitable. Their preference for waters rich in organic material means that improperly disposed wastewater and garbage in cities provide favorable conditions for mosquitoes to breed.
"Culex pipiens larvae particularly like to develop in still water rich in organic matter, which makes them more prosperous in cities."
The ability of C. pipiens to adapt to the environment is an important factor for its survival. The mosquitoes can survive in a variety of habitats, from wet swamps to dry spaces, and their adaptability allows them to continue to thrive in cities. Even in cold winters, many C. pipiens individuals spend the winter in a dormant state, a survival strategy that allows them to maintain stable numbers amid climate change.
Reproduction and eating habits
C. pipiens' diet relies primarily on vertebrate blood, and although they prefer bird blood, human blood is also one of their food sources. This bloodthirsty behavior occurs mostly at dusk. In addition, C. pipiens relies on sugar sources such as nectar in late summer and early fall to store fat to supply energy during the winter.
"Although female C. pipiens require blood to reproduce, they also rely on sweet food to maintain energy."
The reproductive behavior of C. pipiens is related to temperature, and mating usually begins when the temperature rises to 10°C. In different regions, the breeding time will also vary according to local climate characteristics. As the environment changes, this tiny mosquito continues to survive in cities in its own unique way.
Disease and Global Impact
C. pipiens is believed to be the vector of a variety of mosquito-borne diseases, including but not limited to West Nile virus, St. Louis encephalitis, etc. The spread of these pathogens across the globe has prompted increased attention to these tiny organisms. According to the World Health Organization, approximately 350 million people were affected by mosquito-borne diseases in 2017.
“Culex pipiens spread a variety of diseases around the world, reminding us of public health challenges.”
Although Culex pipiens have a flexible survival strategy in cities, their presence also poses a threat to human health. Today, with the acceleration of urbanization, how to effectively manage the number of these mosquitoes and the diseases they spread will become an important issue faced by people. Therefore, we can’t help but think about how to effectively prevent the impact of these little mosquitoes on our health while protecting the ecology?
