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{{Taxobox
{{Taxobox
|name =Culicidae
|name =Culicidae
|kingdom =Animalia
|kingdom =Animalia
|sub-kingdom =
|sub-kingdom =
|phylum =Arthropoda
|phylum =[[:Category:Arthropods|Arthropoda]]
|super-class =
|super-class =
|class =Insecta
|class =[[:Category:Insecta|Insecta]]
|sub-class =
|sub-class =
|super-order =
|super-order =
|species =
|species =
}}
}}
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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. 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 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.
Members of the Culicidae family are found across the globe and a attack a wide variety of different species. They are holometabola and have four stages to their life cycle (see below); 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 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 genus' of greatest veterinary importance are;
The genus' of greatest veterinary importance are;
*''Culex''
*''Culex''
===Identification===
===Identification===
Culicidae flies like all insects have 3 pairs of legs and like all Diptera order flies have only a single set of wings and vestigal set of 'halters'. They are small flies, between 2 and 10mm long with a slender body and legs. They consist of a head, thorax and abdomen and have a forward facing pobosic used for feading that protrudes from the head. The proboscis of the female is considerably longer than in the male as it is required to take a blood meal. The wings of Culicidae flies are narrow with prominent veins and fringed with scales at the rear margins.
Culicidae flies like all insects have 3 pairs of legs and like all Diptera order flies have only a single set of wings and vestigal set of 'halters'. They are small flies, between 2 and 10mm long with a slender body and legs. They consist of a head, thorax and abdomen and have a forward facing proboscis used for feeding that protrudes from the head. The proboscis of the female is considerably longer than in the male as it is required to take a blood meal. The wings of Culicidae flies are narrow with prominent veins and fringed with scales at the rear margins.
===Life Cycle===
===Life Cycle===
The life cycle of Culicidae flies is holometabolous meaning that they have a number of disticnt morphological states. The initial stages require areas of standing water in which to develop. The life cycle of these flies my take anywhere from two weeks to several months dependant on envirnmental conditrions, principaly the temperature.<br/>
The life cycle of Culicidae flies is holometabolous meaning that they have a number of distinct morphological states. The initial stages require areas of standing water in which to develop. The life cycle of these flies my take anywhere from two weeks to several months dependent on environmental conditions, principally the temperature.<br/>
'''Eggs'''<br/>
'''Eggs'''<br/>
The eggs of Culicidae flies must be laid on areas of standing water such as buckets or ponds. They are laid either singularly or in rafts. Some species of the genera ''Aedes'' will lay their eggs on a moist substrate where they mature and await a suitable water level to stimulate hatching. <br/>
The eggs of Culicidae flies must be laid on areas of standing water such as buckets or ponds. They are laid either singularly or in rafts. Some species of the genera ''Aedes'' will lay their eggs on a moist substrate where they mature and await a suitable water level to stimulate hatching. <br/>
===Control===
===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. In the future it may be possible to use biological and genetic control methods which are currently under development.
The most effective method of control of these species is to remove suitable locations for eggs to be laid. This is achieved 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. In the future it may be possible to use biological and genetic control methods which are currently under development.
[[Category:Biting_Flies]]
[[Category:Biting_Flies]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_Review]]
[[Category:Expert_Review]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]]
[[Category:To_Do_-_NickJ]]