What type of insect are mosquitoes classified as?

Mosquitoes are classified as true flies, which belong to the order Diptera. This classification is based on their biological characteristics, including having a single pair of functional wings and compound eyes. True flies, unlike beetles or hymenopterans, do not have the hardened forewings that are characteristic of beetles (coleopterans) or the two pairs of wings typically observed in bees and wasps (hymenopterans). Furthermore, the reference to scarabids relates to a specific group of beetles, which again differs from the morphology and classification of mosquitoes. The distinct features of true flies help in identifying mosquitoes, which are not only significant in public health due to their role as vectors in disease transmission but also in understanding their ecological impact.