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[[Image:Aedes aegypti.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Aeges aegypti'' - Wikimedia Commons]]
[[Image:Aedes aegypti.jpg|thumb|right|150px|''Aeges aegypti'' - Wikimedia Commons]]
Members of the Culicidae family are found accross the globe and a attack a wide variety of different species. They holometabola and have four stages to their life cycle; egg, larva, pupa and adult.
Members of the Culicidae family are found accross the globe and a attack a wide variety of different species. They holometabola and have four stages to their life cycle; egg, larva, pupa and adult. The flies are most active at night and largely feed on necatar, only the females take a blood meal in order to produce eggs. The bites from the female blood feed are painful to the host and can occasionally cause allergic hypersensitivity response. Aside from the pain of the bites Culicidae flies are carriers of a number of other pathogens. Viruses such as arbovirus which causes [[Equine Encephalitis Virus|equine encephalitis]] and [[Myxomatosis|rabbit myxomatosis]]as well as some parasites such as the [[Dirofilaria immitis|canine heartworm]], ''Dirofilaria immitis'' and avian malaria caused by ''Plasmodium''. This transmission of pathogens is the primary health concern attached with Culicidae species and the reason for the requirement to control their levels.
The species of greatest veterinary importance are;
The species of greatest veterinary importance are;
*''Culex''
*''Culex''
The adult fly emerges from the pupa after a number of days and is the only non aquatic stage of the life cycle. Both the male and female are nectar feeders, however in order to provide the nutrients for producing eggs the female must take a blood meal.
The adult fly emerges from the pupa after a number of days and is the only non aquatic stage of the life cycle. Both the male and female are nectar feeders, however in order to provide the nutrients for producing eggs the female must take a blood meal.
===Control===
The most effective method of control of these species is to remove suitable locations for eggs to be laid. This is acheived by removing objects that collect water and areas of standing water. Alongside this the use of [[Ectoparasiticides|insecticides]] is possible but requires several repeat applications.
**Synthetic pyrethroids sprayed from helicopters
**Synthetic pyrethroids sprayed from helicopters
**Mineral oils applied to breeding sites
**Mineral oils applied to breeding sites