Name three common mosquito genera vectors and one disease associated with each.

• A. Anopheles (malaria); Aedes (dengue); Culex (West Nile virus)
• B. Anopheles (dengue); Aedes (malaria); Culex (West Nile virus)
• C. Anopheles (West Nile virus); Aedes (Chikungunya); Culex (malaria)
• D. Anopheles (Lyme disease); Aedes (rabies); Culex (influenza)

Answer: (A)

Knowing which mosquito genera vector specific diseases helps focus control efforts. Anopheles mosquitoes are the classic malaria vectors, and malaria is caused by Plasmodium parasites transmitted by Anopheles. Aedes mosquitoes are the primary dengue vectors (and also transmit other diseases like chikungunya and Zika), so dengue is linked to Aedes. Culex mosquitoes transmit West Nile virus, a virus associated with Culex species.

The other pairings don’t fit because dengue is not transmitted by Anopheles, malaria is not transmitted by Aedes or Culex, and West Nile virus is not typically associated with Anopheles or Aedes. Also, Lyme disease is carried by ticks, not mosquitoes, and influenza is not mosquito-borne.