Anopheles stephensi, Origin, Spread, Breeding Habits, Latest News

Q: What is Anopheles stephensi?

Anopheles stephensi is an invasive mosquito species and a major vector of malaria.

Q: Where did Anopheles stephensi originally come from?

It originated from parts of Southeast Asia and the Arabian Peninsula.

Q: What makes Anopheles stephensi different from most other malaria vectors?

It is highly adapted to colonizing urban environments.

Q: Which malaria parasites are transmitted by Anopheles stephensi?

It transmits both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.

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Anopheles stephensi Latest News

Urban malaria, driven largely by the spread of invasive vector Anopheles stephensi in metropolitan areas like Delhi, has emerged as a national concern threatening India’s goal of eliminating the mosquito-borne disease by 2030, according to the Health Ministry’s recently released Malaria Elimination Technical Report, 2025.

About Anopheles stephensi

It is an invasive mosquito species originating from parts of Southeast Asia and the Arabian Peninsula.
It is a major malaria vector.
It has recently spread to parts of Africa, posing a growing public-health concern.
Unlike most malaria vectors, it is adept at colonizing urban environments.
It can breed in tiny amounts of water year-round and has made a comfortable home in urban areas.
Throughout its natural range, Anopheles stephensi is an important vector for both Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax.
In urban areas, An. stephensi is found throughout the year but is most abundant in the summer months (between June and August), which coincides with the peak period of malaria transmission.