The subfamily Anophelinae contains three genera, but as explained in Chapter 1only the genus Anopheles is of medical importance.Anopheles mosquitoes have an almost worldwide distribution,occurring in both tropical and temperate regions, but they are absent from mostPacific islands including New Zealand. There are about 476 species. The mostimportant disease transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes ismalaria. Some Anopheles species are vectors of filariasis,especially that caused by Wuchereria bancrofti, but otherspecies transmit Brugia malayi and Brugiatimori. A few species transmit arboviruses that are mainly of minormedical importance.

External morphology

The main features distinguishing the Anophelinae from the Culicinae have beengiven in Chapter 1, but are briefly summarized here.

Anopheline eggs are laid singly and have air-filledfloats (Fig. 1.8) that help them float on thewater surface.

Larvae do not have a siphon and consequently lie parallel to thewater surface (Fig. 1.13). A tergal plate andpaired palmate hairs are present dorsally on mostabdominal segments (Fig. 1.9).

Pupal abdominal segments have numerous short setae, and segments 2–7 or 3–7 havein addition short peg-like spines (Fig. 1.11) which are absent in culicines.