Anopheles gambiae mosquito larvae on the underside of the water's surface. To reach its maximum size of 8 to 12 millimetres, this larva has to moult three times. It breathes atmospheric air on the surface via a 'snorkel' present at the end of the abdomen. Mosquito larvae usually feed on microscopic plankton and decomposing organic matter. A. gambiae is found in Africa, where the female mosquitoes are a vector for the Plasmodium protozoa that causes malaria.