Know your enemy: understanding mosquito biology to advance malaria elimination in Africa

Abstract

Over a century has passed since the discovery that the female anopheline mosquito is a vector of malaria, prompting extensive efforts to combat the disease. Vector control remains the primary malaria prevention strategy, accounting for a remarkable 65% reduction in malaria cases between 2000 and 2015. A thorough understanding of the fundamental biology of malaria vectors is essential for national malaria control programmes, governments, and local communities to implement sustainable and effective vector control measures. This article explores the key aspects of mosquito biology, such as adult and juvenile life stages, the intrinsic incubation period, and blood-seeking behaviour, within the context of the mosquito life cycle. By emphasizing the importance of this knowledge, we illustrate how it can inform community-level control initiatives and guide national programmes in designing more effective interventions for vector-borne disease management. Furthermore, the article underscores how researchers can harness these biological insights to develop and deploy innovative tools that have the potential to revolutionize malaria control efforts.

Keywords: Anopheles mosquitoes; Community engagement; Health education; Mosquito biology; Sustainable interventions; Vector control.