Anopheles gambiae is the primary mosquito vector responsible for the transmission of malaria (Plasmodium falciparum) in most of sub-Saharan Africa; and is also considered to be one of the most efficient vectors of malaria. It feeds almost exclusively on humans, late at night, indoors as well as outdoors. Anopholes gambiae can show more opportunistic feeding behaviors depending on location, host availability and the genetic make-up of the mosquito population. The larvae develop in temporary bodies of fresh water and the adults rest primarily indoors, but resting outdoors has also been observed.
The Anopheles gambiae complete genome sequence of the strain PEST was published in 2002. It contains about 280 Mb, and approximately 12,800 protein-coding genes. The high degree of genetic variation observed in the strain PEST is probably the result of recombination among the different cytotypes that contributed to the PEST strain, resulting in a mosaic genome.