Do you know what buzzes, stings, and bites, and can leave behind a nasty itch that you can’t help but scratch (and a deadly disease, if you’re unlucky)? If you guessed a mosquito, then you’re right.
And you probably know because you’ve been the victim of one (or many) during your lifetime.
It seems they’re everywhere!
But have you ever wondered how many mosquitoes are in the world? Weird question, we know! The answer: in the range of 110 trillion mosquitoes, or 600,000lbs of mosquitos. Wow!
We’ll go over it all below!
How Many Mosquitoes Are In The World?
Although it is impossible to take a count of every single mosquito in existence at any one time (well, it’s not like they can take a census!), it is estimated that mosquitoes outnumber humans on the planet at about 16,000 to 1.
This means that scientists estimate that there are around 110 trillion mosquitoes annoyingly buzzing their way across the planet at any one time. There may be as many as 510 million being able to cover one mile at a time in areas where there is lots of mosquito activity.
This is an imprecise answer because mosquitoes breed so fast and die off so quickly, it’s difficult to say at any given time how many are in existence. That said, the 110 trillion number is a reasonable approximation.
This means that scientists estimate that there are around 110 trillion mosquitoes annoyingly buzzing their way across the planet at any one time.
Overall, of these 110 trillion miniature vampires that are found worldwide, scientists have discovered that there are around 3,500 different species among them. However, you may be surprised to find out that only around 100 mosquito species actually feast on the blood of humans and other mammals.
Overall, of these 110 trillion miniature vampires that are found worldwide, scientists have discovered that there are around 3,500 different species among them. However, you may be surprised to find out that only around 100 mosquito species actually feast on the blood of humans and other mammals.
This means that the vast majority of mosquito species live off of the nectar of flowers and other plants. So most mosquitoes technically act as pollinators, which, like bees, we need on this planet to keep the ecosystem going.
Another reason why mosquitoes are actually good is that they are a food source for other insects and animals that eat insects, such as dragonflies, spiders, fish, frogs, toads and salamanders, birds, and bats.
So, the next time you allow the incessant buzz of a mosquito in your ear to make you freak out, just think about the fact that most mosquitoes on the planet do good work to keep nature in check.
1. North America and South America
Of the 3,500 mosquito species found all over the world, only about 175 of those buzz their way around the United States and Canada. While south of the border in Mexico, as many as 250 varieties have been found, which is more than likely due to the warmer climate where they thrive.
The three most common varieties of mosquitoes found in the United States fall into three genera of the family Culicidae: Aedes, Anopheles, and Culex.
The Aedes genus, which is originally from Africa, but is now found worldwide, is generally active during the daytime and is the main carrier of diseases like dengue fever and yellow fever, as well as the Chikungunya and Zika viruses.
The Anopheles genus is the most active at dawn and dusk, and is known in Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent to be the mosquito that carries deadly malaria.
Finally, the Culex genus of mosquitoes is also mostly active before sunrise and after sunset and is the species that is the perpetrator spreading Japanese encephalitis and West Nile virus.
Also known as the southern house mosquito, you generally won’t find this miniature vampire in northern areas. However, in the southern United States, this species is mainly found in places with warmer climates like Florida, Texas, Louisiana, as well as in the Los Angeles area.
Also known as the southern house mosquito, you generally won’t find this miniature vampire in northern areas. However, in the southern United States, this species is mainly found in places with warmer climates like Florida, Texas, and Louisiana, as well as in the Los Angeles area.
Of all the other countries south of the border of Mexico, Brazil ranks the highest as far as mosquito population goes.
2. Europe
There are only about 100 kinds of mosquitoes in Europe, which is due to the fact that the land mass is generally cooler than the United States overall.
In fact, the coldest country in Europe, Iceland, is completely mosquito free, the only other place on the planet that is mosquito-free is Antarctica.
The coldest country in Europe, Iceland, is completely mosquito free, the only other place on the planet that is mosquito-free is Antarctica.
It’s mainly the Aedes genus that is found in Europe, which is why there have been outbreaks of dengue fever and Chikungunya virus over recent years. Infected people are returning to their countries after contracting the disease while traveling.
3. The Middle East, Africa, and India
There are 837 species of mosquitoes in Africa, although most of these feed off of animals. However, it’s the Anopheles genus that causes the majority of problems by transmitting malaria, which is still a problem in most African countries.
Mosquitoes are the most deadly creatures on the planet (well, apart from humans) and kill an estimated 100,000 people each year, mostly of malaria in Africa.
Mosquitoes are the most deadly creatures on the planet (well, apart from humans) and kill an estimated 100,000 people each year, mostly of malaria in Africa.
Around 49 mosquito species live in the Middle East, where dengue fever and malaria are also common problems. And as far as India is concerned, there are more than 400 species of mosquitoes found, and dengue fever and the Chikungunya virus are the main diseases that they carry. Â
4. The Far East
Besides Brazil on the other side of the planet, the most mosquito species found in the world are in Indonesia, Malaysia, The Philippines, and Thailand. These are very hot and tropical climates where diseases like malaria and dengue fever are prevalent, especially during the rainy seasons.
5. Australia and New Zealand
There are more than 300 species of mosquitoes found in Australia, as opposed to only 16 that have been discovered in New Zealand. And of those four of these are not native, introduced into the country fairly recently!
These countries have very strict rules on what can be imported, so it’s only travelers coming back from countries where mosquitoes are a problem that will raise the rates of diseases like dengue fever and malaria. Because you won’t catch them down under.
Conclusion
We don’t know exactly how many mosquitoes there are in the world, but the current estimate for the population is in the area of 110 trillion of them, a number that most of us cannot even comprehend.
Regardless, unless you decide to move to Iceland, Antarctica, or the moon, mosquitoes are pests that you’ll have to learn to live with. So, it’s up to you whether you would rather grab your snow boots, moon boots, or your mosquito repellent the next time you venture outside of your house — especially if it’s at dusk or dawn.
