Question

Why is female Anopheles mosquito vector of malaria and not male Anopheles mosquito?

Answer 1

1. A vector is a medium/vehicle which carries any causative agent/pathogen from the reservoir to the host where it further replicates.
2. The causative agent of malaria is Plasmodium, and is carried by the female Anopheles mosquito.
3. The female Anopheles mosquito has blood-sucking mouth-parts whereas the male Anopheles mosquito lacks the blood-sucking mouth-parts. And to play the role of vector, the latter should have the ability of transmitting the causative agent (here, Plasmodium) from the reservoir to the host (humans).
4. Since the male Anopheles mosquito feeds only on plants and lacks the blood sucking mouth parts it is not fit for being a vector, and on the other hand the female Anopheles mosquito comprises of both the characteristics, hence, it acts as a vector of malaria.