Which mosquito family is known for spreading malaria and dengue?

The family of mosquitoes known for spreading malaria and dengue is Culicidae. This family includes various species of mosquitoes that are vectors for these diseases. An important aspect of their biology is that female mosquitoes of the Culicidae family require blood meals for egg development, making them effective transmitters of pathogens when they bite humans or other animals. Specifically, the Anopheles genus within this family is responsible for malaria transmission, while Aedes mosquitoes are the primary vectors for dengue fever.

The other families listed, such as Formicidae, which comprises ants, Aphididae, which includes aphids, and Lampyridae, known for fireflies, do not play a role in the transmission of malaria or dengue diseases. This distinct association of the Culicidae family with significant public health concerns underscores its importance in the study of vector-borne diseases.