- The Anopheles mosquito is the primary vector responsible for transmitting malaria because it efficiently carries and transmits the Plasmodium species, the protozoan parasites causing the disease.
- The female Anopheles mosquito requires a blood meal for egg development, during which it injects sporozoites into the human bloodstream.
- These sporozoites initiate the liver stage of malaria infection.
- Other mosquitoes such as Aedes and Culex do not play a significant role in malaria transmission as they either do not bite humans under the necessary circumstances or do not support the parasite lifecycle.
- Control of Anopheles mosquitoes is central to malaria prevention and eradication efforts.

Reference: Davidson’s Principles and Practice of Medicine, 23rd Edition, Chapter: Infectious Diseases, Page 847.