Aedes albopictus (Insect identification with medical importance)

Identifying characters are as follows:

• Presence of a broad, sclerotized head capsule with two antennae and two eyes.
• Distinctive mouthparts with well-developed mouth brushes and four sellar setae on the mandibles are present.
• The eighth abdominal segment bears a single row of comb scales, each thorn-like in appearance.
• Thorax is deviod of hooks.
• Respiratory siphon is relatively short with two rows of pecten teeth (about 12 teeth per row) and four pairs of siphonal tufts. 
• The anal segment includes four papillae, a ventral brush, and an incomplete saddle, while the siphon lacks an acus, helping differentiate it from some other mosquito larvae.  

                   Hence, the specimen seems to be larval stage of Aedes albopictus

•  Both male & female are black bodied with distinct white markings, along with black-and-white striped legs.
•  Males possess bushy, plumose antennae, and long maxillary palps with five white bands, which contrast with the less dense and smaller antennae and very short palps of females, whose palps are only tipped with white scales.
• The female proboscis appears straight, long, and dark without white patches, while males may have longer proboscises. 
• Males bear conspicuous claspers for mating, whereas these are absent in females. 
• Males have narrow, elongated wings, while females show shorter, broader wings, shaped for host-seeking and blood-feeding. 
• Females are generally larger and more robust than males, reflecting their specialized roles in reproduction and feeding

 Hence, the specimen seems to be adult male & female stage of Aedes albopictus

Systematic position: (Ruppert & Barnes 1994)

Kingdom: Animalia

   Sub Phylum: Uniramia

     Class:Insecta

          Order:Diptera

                  Genus: Aedes 

Medical significance:

• Transmission of dengue, chikungunya, Zika, and yellow fever viruses has been carried out by Aedes albopictus.
• Outbreaks of these arboviral diseases have been facilitated in many regions where this mosquito has spread.
• Global expansion of this species has been enabled by its ecological adaptability and breeding behavior.
• The threat of vector-borne disease emergence and re-emergence has been increased due to its invasive nature.
• Local disease transmission has been sustained in temperate and tropical zones where Aedes albopictus has established itself.