Images Dated 5th November 2003

Macrophoto of Anopheles balabacensis, a mosquito

Macrophotograph of a female mosquito Anopheles balabacensis, vector of East Indian malaria, seen here feeding on blood from a human arm. The female mosquito carries the parasitic protozoa of the genus Plasmodium, which is the cause of the infectious disease malaria. The protozoa is picked up during feeding from the blood of an infected person. It multiplies in the mosquito's stomach & migrates to the salivary glands. When the mosquito feeds again the parasite is passed into the bloodstream of the host. This mosquito is seen with its proboscis penetrating the skin & blood flowing up the tubes. A drop of serum is secreted from its anus. Magnification: x5 at 35mm size

© MARTIN DOHRN/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY