Mosquitoes
What are they?
There can be few (if any!) people who have not been troubled by a mosquito at some time or other. Though these are small insects, they certainly make their presence felt and they can number in their millions in favorable habitats and weather conditions. Some species are nocturnal, some crepuscular (predominantly active around dawn and dusk) and others are day-flying. Though a number of species are well-known for being vectors of some nasty diseases and infections - such as Malaria and West Nile Virus - other species are harmless to mankind. Larvae are aquatic, which ties the adults to wetland habitats, though some species can mature in tiny bodies of water in holes in trees, plastic cups and pretty much any receptacle that will hold water.
Identification
Identifying mosquitoes to species generally requires a hand lens, or even a microscope. Details of the leg structure and markings and details of the head - especially the stylus - are all important for identification to species, as are overall size, shape, resting posture and color.
Cattail Mosquito Coquilletidia perturbans
A common and widespread species. Larvae can be found throughout the year, with adults on the wing for much of the summer. Larvae are unusual in having saw-like mouth parts which allow them to cut into plant stems to obtain oxygen, thus negating the need to come to the water surface to breathe. Adults are light brown in color with broad, pale bands on the legs and a pale band on the feeding stylus. Known to be an important carrier of Eastern Equine Encephalitis and West Nile Virus.
| |
 |
| |
pale band on stylus |
Northern House Mosquito Culex pipiens
An abundant and widespread species. Adults are light brown with no obvious dark or pale markings on legs, body or stylus. Very common in a wide range of habitats and often attracted to light around houses at night. Occurs throughout much of the year, with fertilized females overwintering to start new generations in the spring. Females hide in sheltered places during the night and come out to feed after dark.
 |
 |
|
| |
|