ABSTRACT
Mosquitoes are the animal responsible for the most human deaths because of the diseases they carry, notably malaria. We first consider how malaria has shaped both human history and our genomes, including sickle cell anemia. Only a few mosquito species are disease vectors. Why? In addressing this question, we explore why some mosquitoes have specialized on humans. Here, we examine the neurobiology of smell and taste in mosquitoes and how these senses have evolved. We then turn to how malarial parasites have been controlled over the years. Here, we find that resistance to these agents often evolves. We discuss reasons for why some regions of the world have seen more resistance to evolution than others. We then consider ways mosquito populations have been controlled over the years. As with the antimalarials, evolution of resistance was an important reason why DDT lost favor. We examine sterile male technique, the use of the bacterium Wolbachia to generate incompatibility, and CRISPR-generated gene drives.
