Which mosquito species transmits Malaria?

The mosquito species responsible for transmitting malaria is Anopheles quadrimaculatus. This species is part of the Anopheles genus, which is specifically known for its role in the life cycle of the malaria parasite, Plasmodium. When Anopheles mosquitoes bite an infected individual, they can pick up the malaria parasites, which then develop within the mosquito. When the mosquito bites another person, the parasites can be transmitted into that individual's bloodstream, leading to malaria infection.

Other mosquito species listed, such as Aedes aegypti, Culex restuans, and Mansonia audrae, do not transmit malaria. Aedes aegypti is primarily a vector for diseases like dengue fever, Zika virus, and chikungunya. Culex restuans is mainly known for transmitting West Nile virus and other encephalitis viruses. Mansonia audrae, while involved in other vectoring activities, is not associated with malaria transmission. This specificity of transmission highlights the crucial role of Anopheles mosquitoes in the lifecycle of malaria and underscores why understanding vectors is vitally important in public health efforts to control and prevent infectious diseases.