Mosquito species

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).

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.