It is the most virulent and lethal species. The Anopheles gambiae mosquito needs small, sunlit collections of water to lay its eggs. Replacing tropical forests with agricultural land creates the conditions and proximity to human hosts that the Anopheles require to thrive.
Malaria is another disease of poverty.
Poor people may be marginalized and live closer to wet-lands. The poor are also less likely to have screens or nets and they often lack access proper care and treatment.