Mosquitoes are not just summer pests whose bites cause victims, young and old, to scratch the resulting bumps and welts. They are also threats to the public health. Mosquitoes belong to the family "Culicidae" and there are about 2,700 species worldwide, with approximately one hundred seventy mosquito species in the United States. Of these one hundred seventy species, almost sixty are found in New Mexico, including the "Genus Anopheles," a known carrier of malaria; "Aedes," a carrier of several human diseases, and "Culex," which can carry West Nile virus and other encephalitis viruses. Most of the species belong to the "Genus Ochlerotatus," some of which have been implicated in disease transmission but most in the genus are primarily pest species.To help promote the public health for humans and animals, authors Theodore A. Wolff and Lewis T. Nielsen recognized the need for an up-to-date species identification guide. "The Mosquitoes of New Mexico" is a straightforward reference book for mosquito control workers medical specialists, veterinarians, and public health officials. Hundreds of detailed illustrations help researchers and curious amateurs identify mosquitoes in New Mexico to differentiate between the many species.