Method for Effective Mosquito Data Classification to Identify Potential Hosts of Malaria with AI Implications Student Researchers

Abstract

Most of Earth's mosquito-borne illnesses are transmitted by mosquitoes in one of three genera:Anopheles, Aedes, and Culex. Mosquitos of such genera are located in all continents but Antarctica and infect millions of humans with parasitic viruses yearly. However, a special concern is reserved for Anopheles mosquitoes for their unique ability to carry and transmit Malaria, a disease that, according to WHO, infects more than 200 million and kills over 500,000 humans annually (Malaria, 2022). While it is most prevalent in Africa, Southeast Asia, and Central America, Malaria could soon spread to northern and southern latitudes with a changing global climate. Therefore, it is crucial to track the extent of the Anopheles range and identify any changes that could have detrimental consequences on public health.One way this can be done is using the GLOBE Observer Mosquito Habitat Mapper (MHM) tool, which allows global users free access to photograph mosquito larvae, attempt to identify their genus, and upload said images to a worldwide database that records the location at which they were taken. While citizen