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Culex pipiens

Culex pipiens

7.5
A common mosquito that lives near homes and can spread disease
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Culex pipiens
  • Health officials monitor Culex pipiens populations to prevent outbreaks of West Nile virus.

Examples

  • The larvae of Culex pipiens develop in standing water and can cause significant nuisance during summer months.

  • Culex pipiens is commonly found breeding in stagnant water near homes and gardens.

  • The Culex pipiens is often found in urban areas.

  • Did you know that the Culex pipiens can transmit West Nile virus?

  • Culex pipiens is known to breed in stagnant water, making it a common sight in gardens and near houses.

  • Health officials are concerned with Culex pipiens populations because they can transmit diseases like West Nile virus.

  • During the summer, many people notice the presence of Culex pipiens, especially around areas with standing water.

Synonyms

common mosquito
vsCulex pipiens
2.5

A mosquito that often lives near houses and bites people

is the single species that this general term often denotes

Surface Forms

Culex pipiens singular

Morphology

Culex + pipiens

This is a Latin binomial (genus + species). A learner who knows 'Culex' as a mosquito genus can infer it denotes a type of mosquito, but the specific species sense depends on knowing taxonomic naming or the second element 'pipiens' (which is not defined), so the full meaning is not directly derivable by a B1 learner.

Etymology

Culex pipiens comes from old Latin words: Culex meant a small biting insect and pipiens may mean 'peeping' because of the mosquito's soft buzz near your ear. So the name paints a clear image of a small 'peeping' mosquito and helps you remember it as the 'common house mosquito'.