lobster
Unicode: 1F99E
Description
A cartoon mosquito, typically depicted with a large proboscis, six legs, and wings. Its body is often dark grey or black with some yellowish or orange accents. It may appear as if it is about to bite or has just bitten.
Group:
Animals & Nature > animal-marine
Status:
fully-qualified
Emotion:
Often represents annoyance, discomfort, itching, summer pests, or the presence of insects. Can also be used in contexts related to health or disease (e.g., malaria, Zika virus).
Backstory
The mosquito emoji was introduced in Unicode 11.0 (2018) as part of a push to include more animals and insects. Its inclusion reflects the widespread experience of encountering mosquitoes globally and their impact on daily life and public health.
Usage Examples
- Complaining about bites: 'So many mosquitoes tonight! 🦟 My legs are covered in bites!'
- Talking about summer: 'Summer camping is fun, but I hate the mosquitoes! 🦟'
- Discussing health: 'Remember to use bug spray to prevent mosquito-borne illnesses. 🦟'
- Expressing annoyance: 'Ugh, a mosquito just flew into my room! 🦟'
Cultural Differences
Western culture:
Strongly associated with summer outdoor activities, camping, and the nuisance of itchy bites. Also used in public health campaigns.
East Asian culture:
Similar associations with summer pests and annoyance. May also be connected to specific regional health concerns related to mosquito-borne diseases.