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Mosquito species
There are many species of mosquitoes, and over 200 of them can be found in the United States. Not only are their bites irritating, but these bites can also carry dangerous diseases posing a serious threat to your customers and employees.
Read more about the lifecycles and habits of common mosquitoes in the U.S. below.
Anopheles mosquito
(Anopheles quadrimaculatus)
The Anopheles mosquito is responsible for transmitting malaria.
Appearance
- Adults: pale with dark marks on the wings
- Eggs: About 1mm long with floats on the sides
Lifecycle
- Egg to adult stage takes 6 – 10 days
- Complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa and adult
Habits
- Larvae rest parallel to the surface of the water
- Prefer clean and unpolluted water
- Bite at night and rest during the day
- Prefer darker colors
- Females can lay 50 – 150 eggs from one blood meal
Aedes mosquitoes
(Aedes aegypti, Aedes vexans, Aedes sollicitans and Aedes albopictus)
The Yellow fever mosquito, Asian tiger mosquito, Floodwater mosquito, Saltmarsh mosquito, and floodwater mosquito all belong to the Aedes genus. The bites from an Aedes mosquito peak at the change of light intensity (after sunrise and before sunset).
Appearance
- Adults: black and white markings
- Eggs: black in color and shaped like a football
Lifecycle
- Egg to adult stage takes 6 – 8 days
- Complete metamorphosis: egg, larval, pupa and adult
Habits
- Larvae rest 45 degrees from the surface of the water
- Container breeder — especially man-made containers with clean water
- Prefer darker colors like black and red
- Can fly short distances (50 – 100m)
Culex mosquitoes
(Culex tritaeniorhynchus)
The Northern house mosquito, Southern house mosquito, and Encephalitis mosquito all belong to the Culex genus. Culex mosquitoes are the main vector for Japanese B – Encephalitis.
Appearance
- Adults: dull in color and covered with brown scales
- Eggs: brown, long and cylindrical, cemented in a raft of 300 eggs and positioned vertically on water surface
Lifecycle
- Egg to adult stage takes 6 – 10 days
- Complete metamorphosis: egg, larva, pupa and adult
Habits
- Larvae rest 45 degrees from the surface of the water
- Mainly breed in polluted stagnant water and drains
- Bite at night and usually rest indoors before and after the blood meal
- Prefer darker colors
- Long distance fliers
The experts at Rentokil are industry leaders in providing mosquito control for commercial properties. Contact us online today to get professional help with your mosquito issues!
Mosquito bites
Mosquito bites are not only a nuisance — they can be potentially dangerous. Learn how to tell if you have been bitten by a mosquito.
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