Malaria mosquito larva. Light microscopy footage of the aquatic larva of the mosquito Anopheles stephensi, an important vector of malaria. The larva is engaging in behaviour known as thrashing, and using its mouthparts to filter food from the water. This mosquito is found from the Middle East through the Indian subcontinent to China. It is found in both rural and urban areas throughout its range, laying eggs in still water. The eggs hatch into larvae, which then develop into the winged adult form. Urban mosquitoes are more likely to feed on humans, and hence to transmit malaria. This mosquito is a vector for both malaria parasites Plasmodium falciparum and Plasmodium vivax. P. falciparum is the more dangerous of the two. Filmed at Ashworth Laboratories, University of Edinburgh, UK.