Mosquito species

There are many species of mosquitoes, which can be found all around the world. The female species is responsible for the irritating bites we suffer from and these bites can also carry fatal diseases.

Read more about the lifecycles and habits of different types of mosquitoes below.

Dark winged fungus gnat

(Family Sciaridae)

The Dark Winged Fungus Gnat can cause damage to the root of plants.

Appearance

• Adult – 5 - 7mm. Grey/black bodies.
• Larvae up to 5.5 mm long. White, shiny black heads and transparent.

Life Cycle

• Females lay up between 100 and 300 eggs, which hatch in 4 to 6 days.
• The larvae feed for 12 to 14 days.
• The pupal stage lasts about 6 days.
• Adults live about 7 to 10 days.

Habits

• Larvae can injure the roots of bedding plants.
• They are poor fliers and can generally be seen running across plant surfaces.

Sandfly (Black sandfly)

(Simuliidae)

Appearance

• Small Insects, 2-3mm long
• Found throughout Fiji

Habits

• Breed in running water, where the larvae are attached to plants or rocks
• Larvae sieve food particles from water current
• Adult females suck blood of birds and mammals

Mosquito

(Culicidae)

Appearance

• Found throughout Fiji
• Adult - body length about 5 mm

Habits

• Larvae develop in standing water
• Only females bite. Actually pierce skin and suck blood
• An annoying high–pitched sound is made by the wings of the female in flight

Aedes 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).

Culex Mosquito

(Culex Tritaeniorhynchus)

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.