Ancient mosquito, new story: The origin of the "London Underground Mosquito" lies in the ancient Middle East

Ancient Mosquito, New Story

The origin of the "London Underground Mosquito" lies in the ancient Middle East, as revealed in a study published in the journal Science.

For decades, the story of the "tube mosquito" has circulated: a mosquito that appeared during World War II in the tunnels of the London Underground, where people slept on platforms to shelter from air raids and were bitten.

Scientists long assumed a new mosquito had adapted to life below ground within just a few generations. However, the new study shows that evolution works on a much longer timescale.

Characteristics of Culex pipiens molestus

The mosquito form Culex pipiens molestus thrives in warm, humid, often subterranean habitats in urban environments. It:

Females can produce their first batch of eggs without a blood meal, a rare ability called autogeny. However, they still need blood to produce additional clutches, and the biting instinct remains.

The mosquito's ability to adapt to life below ground is a result of a longer evolutionary process, rather than a rapid adaptation to the London Underground environment.

Author's summary: Ancient mosquito species originated in the Middle East.

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Informationsdienst Wissenschaft Informationsdienst Wissenschaft — 2025-10-24

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