Mosquitoes are one of the world's oldest and adaptable kite-born animals. They may look small but very important in biology, as their evolutionary process, diet and blood drinking behaviour have profoundly impacted the biodiversity of humans and animals. There are more than 3,500 species of mosquitoes in the world, and each species is adapted to its own habitat, food sources and environment. Mosquitoes are not only annoying — they are the carriers of one of the most lethal diseases in human civilization history.
Origin of mosquitoes and ancient location
Scientists think, mosquitoes originated about 15 to 20 billion years ago, i.e. in the late Jurassic era, when dinosaurs were alive on earth. Ancient mosquitoes fossil found in Amber (amber fossil) in Myanmar, Canada and the Baltic region.
The mosquitoes of that time are basically the juice of the plant and the honey of the flowers. Their masks weren't strong then, so there was no adaptation to suck blood. When the first mammal animal emerged on earth (around 10 crore years ago), climate change causes some mosquitoes to slowly evolve into blood absorption proboscis.
Change in the phase of evolution
1. Ancient Age (15-10 million years ago):
The mosquitoes in the early direction used to lay eggs in the reservoir and the juice of the plant. Their masks were small and soft.
2. Mid evolution period (10-6 crore years ago):
The mammal creature's ability to detect heat and hot blood smell continues to develop. Some species start sucking blood.
3. Modern Age (6 million years ago to present):
Anopheles, Aedes, Culex species are completely evolved into bloody form. Their salarus develops anticoagulant enzymes, which prevents blood clots and helps cause infections.
This evolution was the result of natural election. The blood-drinking wife mosquitoes could have given more eggs after getting a protein-rich diet, so this quality lasts generations to generations.
Mosquitoes history in Fossil records
Fossil proves that mosquitoes are ancient animal.
The oldest mosquito fossil found in Myanmar's Amber (Burma amber) — around 10 crore years old.
Another important fossil found in Amber in Canada and the United States, aged 7. 9 million years.
These fossils prove that mosquitoes wandered the world even during the age of dinosaurs.
Surprisingly, these ancient mosquitoes texture matches a lot with modern mosquitoes — which means their evolutionary changes have happened very slowly.
Mosquitoes were established on earth long before humanity emerged. When ancient people first learned to use fire — they noticed, fire smoke kept mosquitoes away. So fire became not only warmth or light, but also a way to protect from mosquitoes. The cavemen used to set fire at night, so that mosquitoes and other kites would not come close.
Mosquitoes are also mentioned in the ancient civilizations of Mesopotemia, Egypt and Indian subcontinents. In the Old Scripture, mosquitoes are often described as the symbol of suffering, evil creatures or gods punishment. Ancient people used to see mosquito bites as mysterious or curse, because they did not understand that it spread disease. When civilization later evolved, people realized that mosquitoes are not just an organism, but a complex balance of nature — as harmful, so is an important chapter in the history of evolution.
Why do mosquitoes drinks blood
Not all mosquitoes eat blood—only wife feels the need for blood to grow mosquitoes eggs. Male mosquitoes only drink flower juice (nectar). Feminine mosquito eggs are required to form hemoglobin, protein, amino acids and lipids, which are only available from animal blood.
Eggs mature in the oval after drinking blood and the next generation is created. So blood drinking is an integral part of their reproductive strategy.
Evolving creatures in the same path
Mosquitoes are not the only animals, in which the habit of drinking blood has developed. Evolution has been adapted the same path.
Leeches : There are special absorption organs in the body that help draw blood.
Bedbug: Mask is like needles to eat human blood.
Tick: Mammal eats blood and spread Lyme Disease.
Vampire bat: Drinks blood by cutting the skin of the hunter with face enzyme.
A common evolutionary resemblance is seen among these animals—protein collecting and breeding from blood.
Mosquito expansion and adaptation
Mosquitoes live almost everywhere in the world, not only in extremely cold polar region and Iceland.
Due to high humidity and warmth in tropical areas, mosquito breeding environment.
Three species of mosquitoes are mainly significant in Bangladesh:
Anopheles: Carrier of Malaria
Culex: the carrier of phileriasis or hyperopic disease
Aedes: Carriers of Dengue, Chikungunia and Zika virus
They can lay eggs in river, dip, gutter, tub water or even a little water inside a bottle.
Mosquitoes are the world's most lethal creature (vector). They directly transfer virus, bacteria or protozoa from one animal's body to another when drinking blood.
Major mosquito-based diseases are worldwide
1. Malaria (Malaria):
Anopheles spread plasmodium parasites through mosquitoes. This affects millions of people in Africa and Asia.
2. Dengue
Aedes aegypti mosquito spreads dengue virus. Millions of people in Asia are affected by this every year.
3. Chikungunya
Same Aedes spread through mosquitoes. It hurts fever and joints severely.
4. Zika Virus:
Pregnant women have severe effects on the brain of the newborn.
5. Phileriasis (Elephantiasis):
Culex mosquitoes spread a parasite named Wuchereria bancrofti, which causes swollen hands and legs.
6. West Nile Virus:
Culex spread through mosquitoes in Africa, Europe and America.
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), around 7 lakh people die every year from mosquito-infected disease. Mosquitoes are considered one of the main causes of human death.
Country without mosquitoes on earth
Mosquitoes are in almost every country in the world, but Iceland is the only country where no mosquitoes can survive permanently. The main reason is that summer is too short and winter is long and cold.
This extreme change in temperature does not find the suitable environment for mosquito eggs or larva.
Scientific explanation of the evolution of mosquito
According to Charles Darwin's natural election theory, mosquitoes that could eat mammal blood would breed more than survived. This trait lasts inheritance to the next generation.
Over time, their masks are converted to “proboscis” like sharp needles, improves odor receptors, and reddish creates enzymes that prevent blood clots.
This adaptation has made mosquitoes one of the most successful and dangerous parasite kites in the world.
The evolution of mosquitoes proves how nature slowly changes and adapt to creatures. Once upon a time, innocent kite of plants is a dangerous threat to human health. Their bleeding evolution, reproductive strategies and adaptation prove — lives are constantly changing, and evolution is the greatest force to survive.
Reference
1. Harbach, R.E. (2013). The Phylogeny and Classification of Culicidae (Diptera).
2. Paleoentomology Journal (2019). Fossil Mosquitoes and the Evolution of Blood Feeding.
3. World Health Organization (2023). Mosquito-borne Diseases Report.
4. Smithsonian Institution (2022). Ancient Mosquito Evolution and Adaptation.
5. National Geographic (2021). The Hidden History of Blood-Sucking Insects.
Summary
Mosquitoes appeared nearly 150–200 million years ago during the late Jurassic era. Early mosquitoes fed only on plant nectar, but as warm-blooded animals evolved, some adapted to feeding on blood for reproductive advantages. Females developed sharp proboscises and anticoagulant saliva, enabling efficient blood feeding. Over millions of years, Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex species evolved as dominant vectors of diseases such as malaria, dengue, and Zika. Found everywhere except Iceland, mosquitoes today are the deadliest animals on Earth, causing over 700,000 deaths annually. Their evolution showcases the power of natural selection and adaptation.
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