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.

Mosquito

(Culicidae)

Appearance

• Found throughout New Zealand
• Adult - body length about 5 mm
• New Zealand and cosmopolitan species

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

Sandfly (Black sandfly)

(Simuliidae)

Appearance

• Small Insects, 2-3mm long
• Found throughout New Zealand

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