Biodiversity of Mosquitoes: The Ugly, the Bold and the Beautiful

Contents: Foreword. Preface. Section I: The Mosquito Generalities. 1. Mosquito: The insatiable, the Interminable and the invincible. 2. Mosquitoes are Forever: Everywhere, Every time and Ever ready. Section II: The Ugly Mosquitoes. 3. Mosquito: The angel of death. 4. Mosquito and the Human History: The influencer of man’s past, present and future. 5. Pesky and Vector Mosquitoes. 6. Mosquito-Borne Deadly and Debilitating Diseases. 7. Man v/s Mosquito -Face Off: Survival of the fittest.  Section III: The Bold Mosquito. 8. For Mosquitoes, Every Time is a Biting Time: Tomorrow never comes, but the angel of death comes. Section IV: The Beautiful Mosquito. 9. There is only one world and one home: live and let live the nature’s own creation – the Mosquito. 10. Mosquito Biology: A Multi-dimensional life. 11. A Mosquitoe’s Eye-View: Unique mosquito biological systems need conservation. 12. Mosquitoons: A smile on every face. 13. Do we know enough about Mosquitoes? A last word. References.

‘Biodiversity of Mosquitoes: The Ugly, the Bold and the Beautiful’ is a groundbreaking book that challenges the conventional perception of mosquitoes as mere pests. While they are infamous for spreading deadly diseases like malaria and dengue, this book reveals the multifaceted nature of these tiny creatures. With over 3600 species, mosquitoes are a crucial part of the ecosystem, playing a vital role in pollination, serving as a food source for various animals, and even influencing human history.

This comprehensive book delves into the fascinating world of mosquitoes, exploring their biology, behaviour and ecological significance. The authors, renowned experts in the field, provide a nuanced perspective on the benefits and drawbacks of mosquitoes, dispelling myths and misconceptions along the way. Through 13 chapters, the book alludes towards a hugely unexplored world of biodiversity and phenotypic plasticity of the mosquito, taking the reader on a journey to appreciate the diversity of mosquitoes, from their evolution and classification to their unique biological systems and behaviours.

One of the key takeaways from the book is that mosquitoes are not just pests, but a vital part of the ecosystem. Only 9.2% of mosquito species transmit diseases to humans, while over 62% of species do not feed on blood at all. This new perspective challenges the conventional approach of exterminating mosquitoes, advocating for a more nuanced approach that balances control measures with conservation efforts.