Mosquitoes are the most annoying pests and vectors. Although, they have been in existence even before humans. They belong to the insect order Diptera, the Culicidae family. This order of insect comprises true flies, horseflies, midges, gnats, crane flies, and others.

In fact, there are over 3,500 different species of mosquitoes found worldwide. In the United States alone, there are around 167 species of mosquitoes that belong to 13 genera. 

Mosquitoes are common insects that are found in most parts of the world. Though not all mosquitoes bite people or animals, female mosquitoes of some species bite humans and animals for blood as blood provides them nutrients necessary for developing eggs. In addition, male and female mosquitoes feed on nectar.

Another fact about mosquitoes is that only female mosquitoes bite, male mosquitoes do not need blood, and hence male mosquitoes avoid human contact.

Mosquitoes are pests that carry lethal diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, dengue, West Nile, Zika and encephalitis. In general, mosquitoes choose to attack humans when they are outdoors.

Some of the mosquitoes are vectors. A vector is an insect, tick or animal that spread pathogens or germs to people and animal. The viruses, parasites and germs spread by mosquitoes can make people sick. However, not all mosquitoes spread germs. Some of them only bite but are not carriers of germs. These mosquitoes are referred to as nuisance mosquitoes.

The female mosquitoes are not considered parasites due to the fact that it needs human blood for reproduction and not for nutrition. It bites human in order to nourish the developing eggs and not for its meal.

A female mosquito is also not considered a parasite because it does not live within or on the host; the female mosquito associates with the host for a few seconds and leaves the host after sucking the blood. Moreover, a male mosquito is also not considered a parasite because male mosquitoes feed on plant nectar.

So, the mosquito is a pest or an insect that bites and feeds on human and animal blood. Only female from some mosquito species feed on blood, while male mosquitoes feed only on nectar.

In addition, some of these pests are vectors of diseases and cause some of the deadliest diseases such as malaria, Zika, dengue, West Nile etc. However, mosquitoes are not considered to be parasites.