Composición de ilustraciones que muestran una vista dorsal, lateral y en detalle a la región cefálica/torácica, de las especies Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus y Culex quinquefasciatus, mosquitos transmisores de enfermedades en Venezuela.
Composición de ilustraciones que muestran una vista dorsal, lateral y en detalle a la región cefálica/torácica, de la especies de mosquito Aedes aegypti.
Composición de ilustraciones que muestran una vista dorsal, lateral y en detalle a la región cefálica/torácica, de la especies de mosquito Aedes albopictus.
Composición de ilustraciones que muestran una vista dorsal, lateral y en detalle a la región cefálica/torácica, de la especies de mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus.
Mosquito (Aedes aegypti)
Mosquito (Aedes albopictus).
Mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus)
previous arrowprevious arrow
next arrownext arrow

Disease-vector mosquitoes in Venezuela

Mosquitoes are biological vectors that transmit important diseases in Venezuela and in all tropical and subtropical regions. A vector is any organism that transmits a pathogen (such as bacteria, viruses, or parasites) to a human or other animal. Mosquitoes are particularly effective vectors because they can transmit pathogens through their bite.

When feeding on infected blood, they can ingest the pathogen, which then multiplies and develops inside the mosquito. After an incubation period, the mosquito can transmit the pathogen to a new person by biting them.

Mosquitoes are vectors of diseases of local and regional interest, representing a public health problem in Venezuela. The main diseases transmitted by them include: dengue, zika, chikungunya, fiebre amarilla, filariasis linfática and two types of encephalitis, while the main vectors of these diseases are mosquitoes Aedes aegypti, Aedes albopictus and Culex quinquefasciatus.

The Citizen Science Program and Mosquito Vectors

These illustrations are part of the Citizen Science program #ReportaTuMosquito, promoted by the Venezuelan Science Incubator. This initiative seeks to involve citizens in the surveillance of disease-transmitting mosquitoes in Venezuela, collecting data on their presence and distribution.

The objectives of the campaign were:

    • Citizen Science: Promote community participation in data collection, using accessible tools.
    • Vectors identification: Facilitate the recognition of mosquito species through illustrated guides.
    • Epidemiological monitoring: Create updated maps to design control and prevention strategies.

The campaign worked as follows: participants reported mosquitoes through an online form. This form includes questions about the location of the sighting and characteristics of the insect, and an illustrated guide helps identify species according to specific patterns. The data collected allows for mapping areas of higher incidence, identifying trends, and supporting scientific research.

The program promotes education and awareness about the role of mosquitoes as vectors of disease. It also helps health authorities prioritize prevention and control efforts, strengthening the link between science and communities.

#ReportaTuMosquito demonstrates how citizen science can be integrated into epidemiological monitoring, empowering communities to actively and effectively address public health issues.

Year: 2021
Technique: Digital illustration.
Illustration type: Scientific.
Type of project/Client: Incubadora Venezolana de la Ciencia