There are approximately 3,500 known species of mosquitoes worldwide, divided into two main subfamilies: Anophelinae and Culicinae.
Of these, about 100 species are capable of transmitting diseases to humans.
Around 400 species have been recorded in China.
Not all mosquitoes feed on blood—male mosquitoes feed only on nectar and plant juices; only females require a blood meal from animals before laying eggs to obtain the protein needed for egg development.
Different mosquito species prefer different hosts: some specialize in biting humans, others prefer birds, and still others favor livestock.
The diversity of mosquitoes reflects their ability to find ecological niches in nearly all terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems—from Arctic tundra to tropical rainforests, from urban sewers to alpine lakes.
Understanding the main local mosquito species and their breeding habits is crucial for formulating effective mosquito control strategies.
For example, the Asian tiger mosquito (_Aedes albopictus_), which transmits dengue fever, prefers to breed in small containers with clean standing water, whereas _Anopheles_ mosquitoes that transmit malaria favor larger, natural water bodies.
In southern Chinese cities, _Aedes albopictus_ is the primary vector for dengue fever, and the key to controlling it is eliminating small water-holding containers from residential areas.