Mosquito Identification - Mosquitoes By Species

Aedes AlboPictus (ASIAN TIGER Mosquito)

Asian Tiger Mosquito

(Actual Size - 10mm)

The Aedes Albopictus, also known as an Asian Tiger mosquito or "Forest Mosquito" is very colorful with a dark to black body with white stripes on it legs and abdomen. It gets its name because of its striped appearance very similar to that of a Tiger. The Asian Tiger Mosquito is a daytime biter - also known as the "Forest Day Mosquito" and will attack and bite during the day from morning to dusk.

In August of 1985, Houston, Texas first became aware of this particular mosquito. Since then, it has been located in 866 counties in 26 states in the United States. Most of these areas are from Southern Texas up to Southern Illinois, and all areas east to the Atlantic Ocean. Aedes Albopictus has been introduced to and become commonplace in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Guatemala, Cuba, Boliva, El Salvador, Columbia, Caymen Islands, Nigeria, Italy, Fiji, and has been located, but not established, in the port cities of New Zealand, Queensland and Northern Australia.

The Asian Tiger Mosquito not only bites humans, it bites birds. It will bite multiple hosts making it capable of transmitting diseases such as the West Nile Virus. The Asian Tiger Mosquito is also an important vector in the transmission of many viral pathogens including Yellow Fever, Dengue Fever and Chikungunya Fever. The Asian Tiger Mosquito is also capable of distributing a rare virus to humans called Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The good news is that, statistically, very few of these viruses are reported each year. Some who have been infected show no signs of illness, but in more severe cases, symptoms can be sudden headache, chills, high fever, and vomiting. Because Encephalitis involves an inflammation of the brain, it is the most severe disease transmitted by any mosquito with a 33% mortality rate. Survivors will most likely have severe brain damage. The Asian Tiger Mosquito is also a transmitter of Dirofilaria immitis, a parasitic round worm that causes heartworms in dogs and cats.

The female Asian Tiger Mosquito lays her eggs near water, but not directly into the water, as many other mosquitoes do. This is typically near a stagnant pool or an open container containing water. Used tires, planter pots, and anything capable of holding at a tiny amount of water is suitable for egg development. The Asian Tiger Mosquito can breed in running water. This mosquito tends to have a short flight range, to breeding sites are likely to be close to where it is found.

Similar species of Asian Tiger Mosquitoes are the Ochlerotatus canadensis (North America), Culiseta annulata (Europe), Aedes cretinus (Eastern Mediterranean) and the Aedes aegypti which carries Yellow Fever (Tropics and Subtropics).

How To Kill and Get Rid of Asian Tiger Mosquitoes

1. Eliminate standing water and any area where small amounts of water can accumulate, such as planters, used tires, etc.
2. Use BTI Mosquito Briquets or Altosid IGR Briquets to treat standing water areas and help prevent egg development.
3. Use Nyguard IGR Concentrate to overspray damp or marshy areas where Briquets or Granules cannot be used.
4. Spray affected areas with a Residual Insecticide such as Onslaught or Suspend SC.
5. Spray or Fog the affected areas with Riptide Pyrethrum Concentrate using the Solo Mist Blower or the Boston Fog Mosquito Fogger.

Culex Quinquefasciatus (Southern House Mosquito)

Culex Quinquefasciatus Mosquito

(Actual Size - 8mm)

Culex Quinquefasciatus, also known as the Southern House Mosquito, is an average-sized brown mosquito and considered the principal vector of many arborviral diseases in the Southern United States.

West Nile virus the most critical, St. Louis encephalitis virus, and Western equine encephalitis virus (WEEV). This virus' numbers increase in birds and then infect mosquitoes that feed on birds in the spring. Then the mosquito may transmit the virus to humans. St. Louis encephalitis is age-dependent, affecting older humans more than the young. Symptoms might resemble the flu and can range from fever and headaches to stiffness and confusion. After several days the brain may begin to swell, followed by one or all of the following: depression, extreme excitement, sleepiness or sleeplessness.

Adult females tend to enjoy feeding on birds, but as they age, they favor human blood. They will enter homes in the early evening, but midnight is their optimum feeding time. Human legs below the knees is their primary feeding site. You might find these mosquitoes during the day as they'll be resting indoors on walls, underneath furniture, hanging on clothes in dark corners, in closets, wardrobes or cupboards.

The Culex Quinquefasciatus breeds extensively where dirty water accumulates including brackish drains, cesspools, septic tanks with leakage, burrow pits, and almost all organic polluted water collections. In optimum temperature and humidity, this mosquitoes' life cycle will be completed in seven days, progressing through the egg, larva, pupa and adult stages.

Since these mosquitoes are dependent upon us - humans - for creating their nutrient-rich aquatic habitats, it is vital that we reduce or eliminate althogether these aquatic environments. How? Home: Stop overwatering plants, changing pet water dishes frequently, changing bird bath water at least once a week, removing unnecessary containers holding water, and keep your ponds stocked with mosquito fish. Containers holding water that cannot be removed should be covered or turned upside down, remove old tires, and keep drainage ditches clear of debris that will obstruct the flow of water.

How To Kill and Get Rid of Culex Quinqufasciatus Mosquitoes

1. Eliminate standing water and any area where small amounts of water can accumulate, such as planters, bird baths, pet water bowls, etc.
2. Use BTI Mosquito Briquets or Altosid IGR Briquets to treat standing water areas, french drains and help prevent egg development.
3. Use Nyguard IGR Concentrate to overspray damp or marshy areas where Briquets or Granules cannot be used.
4. Spray affected areas with a Residual Insecticide such as Onslaught or Suspend SC.
5. Spray or Fog the affected areas with Riptide Pyrethrum Concentrate using the Solo Mist Blower or the Boston Fog Mosquito Fogger.

Aedes Aegypti (Yellow Fever Mosquito)

Aedes Aegypti Mosquito

(Actual Size - 10mm)

The Aedes Aegypti Mosquito, also referred to as the Yellow Fever Mosquito, has the ability to spread dengue fever, Chikungunya and yellow fever as well as other diseases. Originating in Africa, the Aegypti mosquito is now found in tropical and subtropical areas throughout the world. This mosquito has white markings on its legs with lyre or harp-like type markings on its thorax (chest).

The Aedes Aegypti is an mosquito that distrubutes several tropical fevers. They are attracted to certain chemical compounds that mammals emit like lactic acid, ammonia, carbon dioxide and octenol. Their ideal places of breeding are stagnant water you might find in flower vases, uncovered barrels, buckets, discarded tires. But the most disturbing and dangerous places are wet shower floors and toilet tanks because the mosquitoes will breed in residences - our homes.

An adult Aedes Aegypti can live two to four months depending on environmental conditions, but if their eggs remain in dry conditions they can be usable for over a year, which means they can continue to be functional after a cold winter or even a dry spell.

For the most part, the Aegypti mosquitoes are prone to feeding at dusk and dawn but have also been known to feed all day long and where they feed can be just as random, from shaded locations, cloudy weather and much too often, indoors.

As with most mosquitoes, reduce your risk of infection by using insect repellent on your clothing as well as your body, wear protective clothing and stay inside when mosquitoes are active.

How To Kill and Get Rid of Aedes Aegypti Mosquitoes

1. Eliminate standing water and any area where small amounts of water can accumulate.
2. Use BTI Mosquito Briquets or Altosid IGR Briquets to treat standing water areas and help prevent egg development.
3. Use Nyguard IGR Concentrate to overspray damp or marshy areas where Briquets or Granules cannot be used.
4. Spray affected areas with a Residual Insecticide such as Onslaught or Suspend SC.
5. Spray or Fog the affected areas with Riptide Pyrethrum Concentrate using the Solo Mist Blower or the Boston Fog Mosquito Fogger.

Aedes Japonicus Mosquito

Aedes Japonicus Mosquito

(Actual Size - 10mm)

The Aedes Japonicus mosquito is an Asian mosquito found in Japan, Korea, Taiwan, South China and Hong Kong. It was first found in New York and New Jersey in 1998 and has most recently be noticed in Ohio, Maryland, Connecticut, Massachusets, Pennyslvania and Virginia.

The Aedes Japonicus female is dark brownish-black with white scales on her medium-sized body and legs.

Most Aedes species are prone to have similar breeding sites. Since their larvae are found in all kinds of containers from old tires to thrown-away plastic or card board boxes, there is speculation they transport their eggs, larva and pupua in old tires to new neighborhoods or un-infested territories. Their eggs can handle dehydration and live many weeks and even months in this type of climate. Some eggs are even known for living in weather as cold as Norfolk, VA.

Aedes Japonicus relax in forests or wooded areas and would rather feed during the day. They are known to feed on mice and baby chickens in a laboratory setting but more studies are in the works to determine more information on their feeding preferences in various settings. They have not been found to feed on amphibians or reptiles.

Studies have shown this species is thought to be a vector of Japanese Encephalitis (JE) and experiments have shown they can transmit JE to mice and even to their eggs. Other non-published studies indicate they are also a competent vector of West Nile virus which is related to JE and St. Louis encephalitis.

To reduce your risk of infection, use insect repellent, wear protective clothing and stay inside when mosquitoes are active.

How To Kill and Get Rid of Aedes Japonicus Mosquitoes

1. Eliminate standing water and any area where small amounts of water can accumulate.
2. Use BTI Mosquito Briquets or Altosid IGR Briquets to treat standing water areas and help prevent egg development.
3. Use Nyguard IGR Concentrate to overspray damp or marshy areas where Briquets or Granules cannot be used.
4. Spray affected areas with a Residual Insecticide such as Onslaught or Suspend SC.
5. Spray or Fog the affected areas with Riptide Pyrethrum Concentrate using the Solo Mist Blower or the Boston Fog Mosquito Fogger.

Anopheles Gambiae Mosquito

Anopheles Gambiae Mosquito

(Actual Size - 10mm)

Of the 430 species of Anopheles Gambiae mosquitoes only 30 to 40 of those species are able to transmit malaria. These mosquitoes are located worldwide except in Antarctica. The CDC has warned that the Anopheles Gambiae that can transmit malaria are found not only in malaria-indigenous areas, but also in areas where malaria has been removed. These eliminated areas are still at risk of reintroduction to this disease.

These mosquitoes are best distinguished from other mosquitoes by their palps, that are as long as their proboscis as well as the black and white scales on their wings. Another interesting way to recognize these mosquitoes is both male and female rest with their abdomen up in the air instead of parellel to their resting surface. Immediately after the mosquitoes come out of the pupal stage, the males will form into a large swarm and the females fly into the swarm to mate. Males usually live for only a week eating nectar and other types of sugar. The females, on the other hand, will feed on sugar, but they need a blood meal (either humans or cattle) in order to develop eggs. Once the eggs have matured, she lays them and the cycle resumes. Females are able to live up to a month but usually don't live more than 1 - 2 weeks, depending on temperature and their ability to obtain a blood meal.

Most of these mosquitoes prefer humans to birds or cattle. They are more likely to transmit malaria parasites from one person to another. Once the malaria bacteria has been ingested by a mosquito, the parasites in the malaria have to cultivate in the mosquito for anywhere from 10-21 days before they become infectious to humans. Lifespans of mosquitoes in nature are difficult to measure, however, less than 10% of females would possibly survive no longer than a 14-day foreign incubation period.

Anopheles Gambiae are not active, do not feed or even rest in the same way, however biting by nocturnal mosquitoes can be greatly reduced by using insecticide-treated beds or window screens. Indoor mosquitoes can be controlled by indoor spraying of residual insecticides. On the other hand, the outdoor mosquitoes can be controlled through source reduction or destruction of breeding sites.

Lifespans of mosquitoes in nature are difficult to measure, however, less than 10% of females would possibly survive no longer than a 14 day incubation period.

How To Kill and Get Rid of Anopheles Gambiae Mosquitoes

1. Eliminate standing water and any area where small amounts of water can accumulate.
2. Use BTI Mosquito Briquets or Altosid IGR Briquets to treat standing water areas and help prevent egg development.
3. Use Nyguard IGR Concentrate to overspray damp or marshy areas where Briquets or Granules cannot be used.
4. Spray affected areas with a Residual Insecticide such as Onslaught or Suspend SC.
5. Spray or Fog the affected areas with Riptide Pyrethrum Concentrate using theSolo Mist Blower or the Boston Fog Mosquito Fogger.

Anopheles Quadrimaculatus Mosquito

Anopheles Quadrimaculatus Mosquito

(Actual Size - 11mm)

The Anopheles Quadrimaculatus mosquitoes are historically the most important vector to transmit malaria in the eastern United States. Malaria was a critical disease plague for centuries in the United States until it was finally eliminated in the 1950s. Despite the elimination, the CDC has warned that there is still a risk of reintroduction to this disease and occasional cases of local transmission has been found in the eastern U.S. by the Anopheles Quadrimaculatus mosquito as well as in the west by the Anophele freeborni mosquito.

These mosquitoes are best renowned and recognized at rest with their abdomen up in the air instead of parellel to their resting surface like most species.They also have long palps equal in length to the proboscis. They are very dark and covered in dark brown or black hairs. They also have dark scales on their wings with patches of scales forming four darker spots on the wing.

Immediately after the mosquitoes come out of the pupal stage, the males will form into a large swarm and the females fly into the swam to mate. Males usually live for only a week eating nectar and other types of sugar. The female, on the other hand, will feed on sugar, however, they need a blood meal (either humans or cattle) in order to develop eggs. Once the eggs have matured, she lays them and the cycle resumes. Females are able to live up to a month but usually don't live more than 1-2 weeks, depending on temperature and their ability to obtain a blood meal.

The first three stages - egg, larva, pupa - are aquatic and can last anywhere from five to 14 days, depending on environmental temperature. Adult females are able to live for more than a month in captivity, however, in nature they may not last more than two weeks. These mosquitoes are more active during the summer and develop more at a slower pace in the winter. Blood-feeding starts in the spring and decreases in the fall, ending by November. Their feeding most often occurs at night.

Medically speaking, this is the most important species that transmits malaria in the eastern United States. Even though malaria has not been a real threat in years, local tranmission has been known to occur on occasion. In 2005 eight cases of malaria were reported in Palm Beach County, FL. The known outbreaks shared these common features: 1) no known risk factors were found with the first case, 2) closeness to anyone with the blood parisite, 3) the existence of the familiar mosquito vectors, and 4) favorable environmental conditions to complete the malaria germ in the mosquito.

It is doubtful malaria will become the major problem it was in earlier years. With technology, the Internet, the United States' public health infrastructure and the short life-span of this mosquito, we are more able to prevent it's reintroduction through immediate recognition, notification and treatment of cases, observation and control.

In addition to malaria, the quadrimaculatus was found to be highly susceptible to infection and quite capable of transmitting dog heart worm (Dirofilaria immitis), as well as eastern equine encephalitis (EEE) with a 38% dissemination rate.

How To Kill and Get Rid of Anopheles Quadrimaculatus Mosquitoes

1. Eliminate standing water and any area where small amounts of water can accumulate.
2. Use BTI Mosquito Briquets or Altosid IGR Briquets to treat standing water areas and help prevent egg development.
3. Use Nyguard IGR Concentrate to overspray damp or marshy areas where Briquets or Granules cannot be used.
4. Spray affected areas with a Residual Insecticide such as Onslaught or Suspend SC.
5. Spray or Fog the affected areas with Riptide Pyrethrum Concentrate using the Solo Mist Blower or the Boston Fog Mosquito Fogger.

Culex Pipiens Mosquito

Culex Pipiens Mosquito

(Actual Size - 10mm)

Culex Pipiens are the most broadly scattered mosquito in the world. It is located on every continent except Antarctica. The Culex Pipiens is known for carrying a variety of diseases, mostly insect-borne diseases.

Culex eggs are usually laid either singly or in rafts. Though they might stick to the surface, they could also sink if the water is agitated. These mosquitoes favor tainted water of organic matter that assists in the development of the larvae and tends to grow well in septic tanks.

Disease is spread only by females. Males do not bite. The females take blood meals that are used to support the development of eggs. Culex takes its meals from animals as well as humans and they also frequently feed on birds. Any disease carried by Culex can become quite difficult to destroy because any of the animal communities they feed on can easily become a repository. Migratory species, like birds, can spread the disease through a large area. We saw this in the Eastern United States in 1999 when West Nile virus was introduced in this area. Culex pipiens feeds at night.

The Culex mosquito favors feeding in and around structures, then retires in cool damp areas within the same structure while they digest their meal. A blood meal usually takes anywhere from 2-7 days to digest. They need to have at least 1-3 meals to complete the growth of their eggs. When the mosquito repeatedly pierces the skin, the injected saliva acts as an anticoagulant.

How To Kill and Get Rid of Culex Pipiens Mosquitoes

1. Eliminate standing water and any area where small amounts of water can accumulate, such as planters, used tires, etc.
2. Use BTI Mosquito Briquets or Altosid IGR Briquets to treat standing water areas and help prevent egg development.
3. Use Nyguard IGR Concentrate to overspray damp or marshy areas where Briquets or Granules cannot be used.
4. Spray affected areas with a Residual Insecticide such as Onslaught or Suspend SC.
5. Spray or Fog the affected areas with Riptide Pyrethrum Concentrate using the Solo Mist Blower or the Boston Fog Mosquito Fogger.

Culex Tarsalis Mosquito

Culex Tarsalis Mosquito

(Actual Size - 10mm)

Culex Tarsalis is acknowledged for it's role as an agent for Western Equine encephalitis. Most Culex Tarsalis have dark bodies, a medium-sized noticeable white band on its beak and white bands on the legs. They also have a white stripe on the sides of their rear legs and dark inverted V's underneath their blunt-tipped abdomen. Males tend the resemble the females only the males have bushy antennae and long "claspers" on the tip of their abdomen. The Tarsalis is considered the most widespread mosquito species in California but can also be observed from Canada down to Mexico as well as in the Western, Central and Southwestern United States.

Female Culex Tarsalis quite often lay 150-200 eggs in clusters in clear, standing water sources and this stage can last up to two days. Stage two, is when the eggs hatch (wigglers), then feed on small organic particles in the water. Typically, they will hang from the water surface by the tip of their tail when they feed. This stage will last up to 10 days. At stage three, the larvae molts into an aquatic pupa (tumbler). This is the resting stage of the mosquitoe's life and will last up to two days. Stage 4 is becoming an adult, which depend upon the temperature and food in the water. This developmental stage can take anywhere from seven days to almost four weeks, depending on temperature and food availability. Larvae and pupae live in the water and emerge as adults into the air..

Disease is spread only by females. Males do not bite. The females take blood meals that are used to support the development of eggs. Culex takes its meals from animals as well as humans and they also frequently feed on birds. Any disease carried by Culex can become quite difficult to destroy because any of the animal communities they feed on can easily become a repository. Migratory species, like birds, can spread the disease through a large area. This was seen in the Eastern United States in 1999 when West Nile virus was introduced in this area.

The Culex mosquito favors feeding in and around structures, then retires in cool damp areas within the same structure while they digest their meal. A blood meal usually takes anywhere from 2-7 days to digest. They need to have at least 1-3 meals to complete the development of their eggs. When the mosquito repeatedly pierces the skin, the injected saliva acts as an anticoagulant.

How To Kill and Get Rid of Culex Tarsalis Mosquitoes

1. Eliminate standing water and any area where small amounts of water can accumulate.
2. Use BTI Mosquito Briquets or Altosid IGR Briquets to treat standing water areas and help prevent egg development.
3. Use Nyguard IGR Concentrate to overspray damp or marshy areas where Briquets or Granules cannot be used.
4. Spray affected areas with a Residual Insecticide such as Onslaught or Suspend SC.
5. Spray or Fog the affected areas with Riptide Pyrethrum Concentrate using the Solo Mist Blower or the Boston Fog Mosquito Fogger.

Mansonia Dyari Mosquito

Mansonia Dyari Mosquito

(Actual Size - 10mm)

Mansonia Dyari mosquitoes are one of the most important species that utlize aquatic plants as their primary habitat for egg deposition and larval development. These mosquitoes tend to attach themselves to root structures of aquatic plants that float. Once disturbed, the larvae release and fall to the bottom.

Mansonia dyari do not have dark "spiniform" scales on the dorso-posterior edge of the abdominal segment VII as seen on many mosquitoes, however, they do have a distinch patch of white scales on the ventral surface of the proboscis. The "club shape" of the palps is another way of identifying this mosquito.

Mansonia dyari are often found near water lettuce plans in abandoned aquaculture ponds. Egg masses are found on both the upper and under surfaces of the leaves. Upper-surface masses are most often from Mansonia dyari, but the lower-surface masses are attributed to both Mansonia dyari and Mansonia titillans.

Oviposition (egg deposits) vary by season but masses are most numerous between August and December when the lettuce plant leaves are large and crowded. Egg masses are then clustered on plants and leaves at angles of 28-34 degrees from horizontal. The upper-surface egg masses are mostly out of the water but focused close to a wet-dry stain line on the leaf. The lower-surface masses are underwater within 3mm of the leaf edge. By the time of hatching, the leaf has aged which cause submergence of most of the upper-surface eggs.

Common to Florida, the Mansonia Dyari was substantiated for the first time in Baldwin County, Alabama in 2011. The A light trap stakeout of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention produced female specimens that were secured in two different locations in the Mobile-Tensaw Delta. This is a first for this species as they usually do not expand this far west.

The Mansonia species have been known to carry Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) virus in Florida as well as Filariasis or Elephantiasis, the disease of underdeveloped regions found in South America, Central Africa, Asia, the Pacific Islands, and the Caribbean. Mansonia dyari is also one of the likely candidates to carry the St. Louis Encephalitis virus.

How To Kill and Get Rid of Mansonia Dyari Mosquitoes

1. Eradication of aquatic plants either manually or by use of herbicides if practical.
2. Window screens and mosquito nets are another effective measure for residential areas. Insecticide-impregnated mosquito nets are especially effective as they focus on only killing those insects that attack humans leaving the general ecology of the area unaffected.
3. The best kind of mosquito netting should be white - for easy detection of of mosquitoes, rectangular, netted on sides and top without a hole. The size of the opening should be no more than 0.0475" in diameter or 150 holes per square inch.
4. Window screens should have copper or bronze gauze with 16 meshes to an inch.
5. Eliminate standing water and any area where small amounts of water can accumulate, such as planters, used tires, etc.
6. Use BTI Mosquito Briquets or Altosid IGR Briquets to treat standing water areas and help prevent egg development.
7. Use Nyguard IGR Concentrate to overspray damp or marshy areas where Briquets or Granules cannot be used.
8. Spray affected areas with a Residual Insecticide such as Onslaught or Suspend SC.
9. Spray or Fog the affected areas with Riptide Pyrethrum Concentrate using the Solo Mist Blower or the Boston Fog Mosquito Fogger.