Which mosquito species is responsible for transmitting malaria?

The species responsible for transmitting malaria is Anopheles. This genus of mosquitoes is particularly adapted to the transmission of the Plasmodium parasite, which is the causative agent of malaria. Anopheles mosquitoes typically breed in clean, freshwater habitats and are most active during the night, which increases their chances of biting humans and other hosts, facilitating the spread of the disease.

The life cycle of the malaria parasite involves both the mosquito and the human host. When an Anopheles mosquito bites an infected person, it ingests the parasite, which undergoes development within the mosquito before it can be transmitted to another human. This unique relationship between Anopheles mosquitoes and the malaria parasite is critical in understanding the epidemiology and control measures surrounding malaria endemic regions.

Other mosquito genera mentioned, such as Aedes and Culex, are known to transmit different diseases like dengue fever and West Nile virus, respectively, but they are not involved in the transmission of malaria. Thus, Anopheles stands alone as the vector responsible for malaria transmission.