Anopheles(uh-noph-o-lease)
Adults of this genus are found primarily in temporary rain pools, swamps, and ponds. They feed readily on humans. Certain species of this genus serve as the primary vector of malaria.
Coquillettidia(co-quill-ah-tid-ee-ah)
This genus has but one species, Cq. perturbans. This species is extremely aggressive and feeds primarily on large mammals. It is very common throughout all of Florida and is found in very large numbers, with emergences occurring in early spring and late fall. This species also is suspected of being a bridge vector for Eastern Equine Encephalitis (transmitting the virus from the bird to a human or horse).
The larvae of Cq. perturbans are closely associated with aquatic plants such as cattails, water lettuce, and water hyacinth. The larvae pierce the roots of these plants to obtain oxygen. This species will often fly great distances in search of blood meals.
Culex (cue-lex)
Species of this genus are found breeding in freshwater habitats such as pools, ditches, ponds, and even in effluents of sewage treatment plants. Species in this genus are considered to be of medical importance in that they have been proven to be the primary vector of St. Louis Encephalitis and also play an active role in the transmission of West Nile Virus. They are most active at dusk, but are known to be active daytime biters.
Culiseta (cue-leh-see-tah)
This genus is the primary vector for Eastern Equine Encephalitis. This species does not feed on humans; therefore, it cannot transmit the virus to humans. It feeds actively on birds, cycling the virus from bird to bird. They are most often found in wooded swamps and in crypts left by the roots of fallen trees.
Mansonia(man-so-knee-ah)
This genus is similar to Coquillittidia, in that it is very aggressive and feeds primarily on larger mammals. It is most active at sunset. Like Coquillittidia, Mansonia larvae are associated with aquatic plants, including water lettuce, water hyacinth, and cattails, using an attenuated siphon to attach to roots to obtain oxygen. Mansonia will often fly great distances in search of blood meals. Adults of this genus are unlikely to be of medical importance.
Ochlerotatus(oh-clair-oh-tate-us)and Aedes (A-dees)
Once an individual genus, Aedeshas now been divided into 2 different genera. Species of these genera are found in temporary floodwater pools, fresh and brackish marshes, and in natural and artificial containers. Adults are abundant and bite readily outdoors at all hours of the day. It is not uncommon for them to enter homes to feed on humans. Certain species are medically important in the transmission of yellow fever and dengue.
Psorophora(sore-offer-ah)
This genus is considered to be extremely aggressive. Most of the species are known to feed on larger mammals, including humans, and are known to travel long distances in search of blood meals. Species of this genus breed primarily in temporary floodwaters, such as woodland pools, roadside ditches, and pastures. Some of the largest species of mosquitoes in Florida come from this genus. Psorophora are not known to be vectors of any common diseases in Florida. They are primarily active in early evening but are known to bite during the day in shady areas.
Uranotaenia(your-an-ah-tay-nee-ah)
Species of this genus are most commonly found in ground pools, swamps, and grassy edges of lakes. They feed primarily on reptiles and amphibians, and are not known to bite humans. They are readily caught in light traps. Adults of this genus are unlikely to be of medical importance.
Wyeomyia(why-oh-my-yah)
This genus is closely associated with bromeliads and pitcher plants. The adults lay their eggs in the bromeliads, where the larvae develop. Adults are not known to travel far from the bromeliad habitats. They are
not a common vector, nor are they an aggressive species, unless humans travel into an area that has bromeliads.
The Other Three Genera
Orthopodomyia (ortho-poh-doh-my-yah)
Members of this species breed almost exclusively in tree holes or rot cavities, occasionally in artificial containers. Adults inhabit forests and appear to be active only after dark. The feeding habits of females are largely unknown, but birds appear to be the primary hosts. None of the species of Orthopodomyiaare of medical or economic importance to humans.
Deinocerites(die-no-sir-i-tees)
Known as the “crab hole” mosquito, members of this species use the upper portions of land crab burrows as daytime resting sites as well as larval development sites. They seldom annoy humans with their blood feeding activity, and Florida’s crab hole mosquito has not been implicated in the transmission of any human pathogen.
Toxorhynchites(tox-o-rine-ky-tees)
Members of this species breed primarily in tree holes or artificial containers. Unlike all other mosquitoes, the female does not take a blood meal for egg production. The long, curved proboscis is for nectar feeding only. Therefore, they are not a nuisance or have any medical impacts on human populations; however, in the larval stage, they are known to be predacious on other mosquito and aquatic insect larvae.
Indian
Mosquito species
Mosquitoes are known to spread vector borne diseases such as dengue and malaria. Learn more about the lifecycles and habits of these blood-suckers that are commonly found in India.
mosquitoes
mosquitoes
(Aedes Aegypti)
The bites from an Aedes mosquito peak at the change of light intensity (after sunrise and before sunset).
Appearance
Adult has black and white markings.Larval rest 45 degree from the surface of the water.Egg is black in colour and shape like a rugby ball.
Life Cycle
Egg to adult stage takes 6 – 8 days.Complete metamorphosis – egg, larval, pupa and adult.
Habits
Habitat – container breeder especially man-made containers with clean water.Prefer darker colours like black and red.Can fly short distance (50 – 100m).
Anopheles mosquito
(Anopheles SPP.)
The Anopheles mosquito is responsible for transmitting malaria.
Appearance
Adult – pale and dark marks on its wings and resting 45 degree angle to the surface.Larval rest parallel to surface of the water.Egg is about 1mm long and has floats on its sides.
Life Cycle
Egg to adult stage takes 6 – 10 days.Complete metamorphosis – egg, larval, pupa and adult.
Habits
Habitat – prefer clean and unpolluted water.Biting rhythm – bite at night and rest indoor and outdoor (depends on species).Prefer darker colours.Female with one blood meal can lay 50 – 150 eggs.
Culex mosquito
(Culex spp.)
Culex mosquitoes are the main vector for Japanese B – Encephalitis
Appearance
Adult – thorax, legs and veins on the wings are always covered with brown scales. Dull in colour. The tip of the abdomen is always blunt.Larval rest 45 degree from the surface of the water.Egg is brown, long and cylindrical, vertical on water surface, cemented in a raft of 300 eggs. Raft usually 3 – 4mm long and 2 – 3mm wide
Life Cycle
Egg to adult stage takes 6 – 10 days.Complete metamorphosis – egg, larval, pupa and adult.
Habits
Habitat – mainly breed in polluted stagnant water and drains.Biting rhythm – bite at night and usually rest indoor before and after the blood meal. Sometimes they may rest outdoor.Prefer darker colours.Long distance fliers.
DIFFERENT TYPES OF MOSQUITOES
Mosquitoes exist across the world, with the exception of Antarctica. More than 3,000 mosquito species have been identified in both the Arctic and subtropics. They are categorized into 39 different genera.
About 174 species can be found in North America and Mexico. Different types of mosquitoes have different feeding and breeding habits. The four most common types of mosquitoes in the United States are the house mosquito, the southern house mosquito, the Asian tiger mosquito and the yellow fever mosquito.
HOUSE MOSQUITO (CULEX)
Some of the most common types of mosquitoes in the United States are called house mosquitoes. Species of mosquitoes that belong to this group include Culex Pipiens and Culex restuansTheobald.
Cx. Pipiens is most common to the Northern part of the United States. Pale brown in color with white stripes, it is often found in polluted water that has been left standing. Storm drains, birdbaths, pet dishes and old tires are popular breeding sites for these types of mosquitoes. The female mosquito of this species can lay anywhere from 50 to 400 eggs at one time. These eggs typically take 10 to 14 days to hatch although they can take longer, depending on the weather. Culex restuans is a very similar species in looks and habits, but is more prevalent in the Eastern and Central parts of the United States.
Both of these mosquito types can transmit a variety of different viruses and parasites to humans.
SOUTHERN MOSQUITO (CULEX QUINQUEFASCIATUS)
This species of mosquitoes, also sometimes referred to as Culex fatigans, is most common in tropic and sub-tropic regions. It shares many of the same physical and behavioral aspects of the house mosquito, but is found in Southern areas of the United States and is present throughout Florida. Also a nighttime feeder, this mosquito is the primary vector of the St. Louis encephalitis virus and can also transmit West Nile virus (WNV).
ASIAN TIGER MOSQUITO (AEDES ALBOPICTUS)
This species of mosquitoes can be identified by the bright white or silver stripes on its abdomen, thorax and legs. Unlike other types of mosquitoes belonging to Culex, the female Asian tiger mosquito is a daytime feeder and can be an aggressive biter. Males do not bite.
Types of mosquitoes belonging to the genus Aedes have similar breeding habits. Females often lay eggs in clean, standing water. They are drawn to containers such as birdbaths or flowerpots. Eggs that have been flooded after a rainstorm can hatch in a short amount of time under the correct temperatures, making it easier for these mosquito types to spread. Species of mosquitoes belonging to Aedes tend to be weak flyers and often won’t travel more than one-half of a mile away from their original breeding sites.
The Asian tiger mosquito was first discovered in the United States in 1985. Since then, it has competed for space with the yellow fever mosquito, which was once the most prominent species of Aedes in the country. The Asian tiger is a vector of more than 30 viruses, but only a few are known to affect humans, according to University of Florida Entomology and Nematology Department. These diseases include equine encephalitis, Cache Valley virus, dengue, and St. Louis and LaCrosse encephalitis viruses. Despite this, different types of mosquitoes belonging to Aedes have proven more efficient than the Asian tiger at transmitting disease.
YELLOW FEVER MOSQUITO (AEDES AEGYPTI)
The yellow fever mosquito has been known to the United States for many centuries. It caused more U.S. troop casualties during the Spanish-American war than the war itself, as a result of transmitting the yellow fever.
Because both types of mosquitoes belong to the Aedes genus, this species of mosquitoes have similar feeding and breeding habits to the Asian tiger. However, the population of the yellow fever mosquito has declined in many areas following the arrival of the Asian tiger mosquito, although it is still prevalent in some regions.
The yellow fever mosquito is more commonly found in urban areas of Southern Florida, and in cities along the coasts of Texas and Louisiana. It can also be found in Southern parts of the United States and up the East Coast to New York.
The nuisance of mosquitoes can keep you and your family from enjoying the outdoors. And controlling these insects can be challenging and is not something that you should try to DIY. Contact us today to learn about our mosquito
Mosquitoes
A Guide to Mosquitoes and Mosquito Prevention
There are different types of mosquitoes found throughout the world, including all regions of the U.S. They are an annoyance to most because of the itchy mosquito bites they leave behind, but they can also pose a far more serious threat. In fact, mosquitoes are often described as one of the deadliest animals in the world due to the diseases they can transmit. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), mosquito bites result in the deaths of more than 1 million people every year - the majority of these deaths are due to malaria. The CDC helped eliminate malaria as a major public health problem in the United States in the late 1940s. However, it reports that approximately 1,500 cases of malaria are documented each year in the United States due to imported cases, mainly from travelers. West Nile virus and dengue fever are of greatest concern in the U.S.
What does a mosquito look like?
Mosquitoes are very small, about 1/8 - 3/8" long. They have six legs and long mouthparts called a proboscis. Their coloring varies from grey to black with some having white, green or blue markings. Individually, mosquitoes are very difficult to spot as they fly because of their small size and because they are most active from dawn to dusk.
Do mosquitoes only feed on blood?
Only female mosquitoes bite and feed on humans. They need a blood meal in order to lay fertile eggs. Most species of mosquitoes breed continuously, so a female will search for a blood meal approximately every two days in order to lay another batch of eggs. However, both male and female mosquitoes feed on nectar from flowers as their main source of energy.
Are mosquitoes more attracted to some people over others?
Yes. Studies have shows that certain factorshave an effect on how attractive a person is to mosquitoes. Some of these, such as wearing dark colored clothing or perfume, can easily be avoided. Other factors like blood type, body temperature and the presence of naturally occurring bacteria on skin are unavoidable.
Where are mosquitoes found?
Mosquitoes are found throughout the U.S. although some species are more common in certain regions. One of these, the Asian tiger mosquito, is found primarily in the South although it has moved into the northeast over the past few years. Asian tiger mosquitoes are unique in that they feed during the day, unlike many mosquitoes that feed only at dusk and dawn..
As mosquitoes lay eggs in water, they are common around marshes and lakes but can breed in as little as a ½ inch of standing water. This underscores the importance of homeowners regularly checking their property for containers that could be collecting water and providing a safe harbor for mosquitoes to grow
Are mosquitoes dangerous?
Yes. Many people are bitten by mosquitoes with no side effects except the typical itchy welt. However, mosquitoes can be vectors for many diseases. If a mosquito feeds off a diseased host, some can transmit pathogens that can infect other hosts it subsequently bites.
In the U.S., mosquitoes are known to spreadWest Nile virus, eastern equine encephalitis and dengue fever. Worldwide, they also spread yellow fever, malaria and chikungunya. These illnesses do not have specific treatments. People can have varied reactions to each virus and each has been fatal in some cases.
There is heightened concern in the U.S. about chikungunya as it recently appeared in Caribbean countries. Some Americans traveling to infected areas have been diagnosed with the virus upon arriving home. There have not been any locally-transmitted cases of chikungunya in the U.S., but health officials are keeping a close watch of this virus. The best way to avoid any mosquito-borne disease is to prevent mosquito bites.
How can I prevent mosquitoes?
Most counties have a mosquito abatement program in place to minimize the local population and help keep the public safe. These programs typically involve trapping mosquitoes in different areas and testing them for known pathogens. This helps monitor the spread of diseases and warn the public of risks in the area. County programs may also include plans for periodic spraying or fogging to eliminate adult mosquitoes.
Mosquito prevention at home starts with removing areas of standing water. Mosquitoes lay their eggs in water where the larvae develop, so it is important to empty containers such as empty tires and flowerpots, pool covers and baby pools after a rainstorm. Water in birdbaths should be regularly changed as well.
Most types of mosquitoes are active around dusk and dawn, so avoiding the outdoors at those times will reduce the likelihood of getting a bite. If you're outside, wear long sleeves, long pants and insect repellent to protect skin from mosquitoes. A small fan at outdoor gatherings may also reduce mosquitoes, as they are not strong flyers
Many measures have been tried for mosquito control, including the elimination of breeding places, exclusion via window screens and mosquito nets, biological control with parasites such as fungi and nematodes, or predators such as fish, copepods,dragonflynymphs and adults, and some species of lizard and gecko.Another approach is to introduce large numbers of sterile males. Genetic methods including cytoplasmic incompatibility, chromosomal translocations, sex distortion and gene replacement have been explored. They are cheaper and not subject to vector resistance.
According to an article in Naturediscussing the idea of totally eradicating mosquitoes, "Ultimately, there seem to be few things that mosquitoes do that other organisms can’t do just as well — except perhaps for one. They are lethally efficient at sucking blood from one individual and mainlining it into another, providing an ideal route for the spread of pathogenic microbes.” The eradication of mosquitoes may now be possible using gene drives.
Insecte repellents are applied on skin and give short-term protection against mosquito bites. The chemical DEETrepels some mosquitoes and other insects.
Some CDC-recommended repellents are picaridin, eucalyptus oil(PMD) and ethyl butylacetylaminopropionate(IR3535). Others are indalone, dimethyl phthalate, dimethyl carbate, and ethyl hexanediol.
There are also electronic insect repellentdevices which produce ultrasounds that were developed to keep away insects (and mosquitoes). However, no scientific research based on the EPA's as well as the many universities' studies has ever provided evidence that these devices prevent a human from being bitten by a mosquito.
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