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DictionaryAnophelesMosquito genus
noun

Anopheles

uh-NAH-fuh-leez/ɑnˈɔfɪlˌiz/

A genus of mosquitoes that includes species that transmit malaria.

The Anopheles mosquito rests with its abdomen raised above the twig.

An enlarged female Anopheles mosquito resting on a plain twig, showing its characteristic abdomen-up resting angle, long palps and spotted wings.
Etymology
anGreeknot, without
+ophelesGreekuse, help, advantage

The pieces literally suggest “without use,” but the Greek compound also meant “harmful.” That harmful sense underlies the name of this malaria-transmitting mosquito genus.

In context

Tripura Santiniketan Medical College0:32
Anopheles, we have different species, fluviatilis and minimus found in the foothill regions.
Lecture On Identifying Malaria Vectors in India: Anopheles Mosquito Morphology | MBBS | TSMC

More examples

  • The lesson distinguishes Anopheles from several other mosquito genera.
  • The survey maps local Anopheles populations.
  • Only some Anopheles species are important malaria vectors.

Similar words

mosquito
The broader insect category rather than this particular genus.