Why in the News?

• With the change in season and rise in temperature, culex or common house mosquitoes have made a reappearance across the Delhi capital region. 

What are Culex mosquitoes and why is there a need to worry?

• Culex mosquitoes are known carriers of some serious diseases like Japanese encephalitis. 
• Warmer temperatures are the main reason for the appearance of these mosquitoes. Their presence is especially felt more in areas around floodplains in East and South Delhi as it is an ideal condition of breeding. 

How are they harmful?

• Culex mosquitoes are known carriers of Japanese encephalitis, a potentially life-threatening but rare viral disease that causes “acute inflammation” of the brain. 
• Unlike Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, which spread dengue and chikungunya and breed in clean water, culex mosquitoes breed in unclean stagnant water. The number of mosquitoes in areas along these drains is more.

How is the weather contributing to the increase in culex mosquitoes?

• The ideal condition for mosquitoes to breed is when the temperature is between 10 degrees Celsius and 40 degrees Celsius. This is the time to intensify the anti-mosquito drive.

Reference:

1. https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/culex-house-mosquitoes-delhi-7251706/