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Mosquitoes, Culicidae, Diptera
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Mosquitoes, which are insects of the order Diptera and family Culicidae, consist of over 3,000 species in three subfamilies. They do not form a large group, but a very important one. They are very common and annoying to humans and animals, but more importantly, they are active as vectors in the transmission of disease. Mosquitoes have a great range and are found in tropical and temperate regions. Even in Alaska, Lapland and Greenland, mosquitoes can be found in great numbers.
Mosquito larvae are aquatic, although they are true air-breathers, surfacing for oxygen. They are rapid breeders and pass their pupa stage in the water. In the course of a year, they produce several generations, and continue their adult lives hibernating through the winter.
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female mosquito
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During winter, hibernating mosquitoes can be found in barns, attics, window wells and other sheltered areas, such as under bridges and in culverts. Mosquitoes can be active throughout the year in extreme southern states. In these warmer places, mosquito barriers are as necessary in winter as they are in summer.
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In places where there are prolonged dry periods followed by monsoons, adult mosquitoes survive through the dry spells and lay their eggs as soon as the rains come. This is true in the dry regions of the southwestern United States, as well as in tropical countries where the year is divided into a wet season and a dry season. In those countries, the wet season is the active breeding time for mosquitoes. The life of the adult mosquito seems to be dedicated to reproduction.
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female mosquito gorging on blood
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Food varies among male and female mosquitoes. Male mouthparts are very different than the females. They sip water and are especially fond of fruit juices, nectar, and even beer! Female mosquitoes also consume nectar, but require the nutrients found in blood to produce viable eggs. They aren't too picky about their blood supply, as people, pets, cows, birds, reptiles and even young fish will do. Mosquito larvae feed on all sorts of minute aquatic organisms, such as algae spores, bacteria, and tiny aquatic animals. Their mouths have many bristles, which draw in particles from the water via constant motion.
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gallinipper male mosquito
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Mosquitoes of the continental United States are typically of the genera Anopheles, Aedes, Megarhinus, Psorophora and Culex. Most of U.S. species are of the genus Culex. Mosquitoes of the genus Anopheles are responsible for the spread of malaria. The protozoan which causes the disease attacks and destroys red blood cells. Malaria continues to be a threat in tropical areas. The West Nile virus, now common in America, is carried by several mosquito species. West Nile is transferred from birds to other animals and humans. In severe cases, it results in death.
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Culex pipiens, the House Mosquito, is a very common species. Mosquitoes of genus Aedes are quite small, while those of Megarhinus and Psorophora are quite large. Psorophora have upright scales on the legs, and Megarhinus have a curved proboscis, or beak. Anopheles are distinguished from Culex by the relative sizes of the female palpi. Those of Anopheles are nearly as long as their proboscis, while those of Culex are very short.
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female mosquito drinking blood
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It was once believed that mosquitoes didn't fly very far from where they became adults. However, females may travel great distances between their breeding and feeding grounds. They can also be spread by "hitchhiking" rides on vehicles like trucks and trains. The development of railroads in the United States facilitated the introduction of mosquitoes into areas where they were previously unknown.
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One of the best means of controlling mosquitoes is to eliminate pools of standing water. Mosquitoes can reproduce successfully even in small amounts of water, such as discarded beer cans, bottles, tires and other trash. After each feeding on blood, a female will lay a batch of up to 340 eggs. Eggs typically hatch in a day or two, and the larvae reach adulthood in a little over a week. There are pesticides called larvicides, which kill the larvae before they can develop into adults. Other pesticides are used to kill the adults. Cities use pesticides to control mosquitoes in parks and streams. In larger bodies of water, the introduction of fish to feed on mosquito larvae can be quite helpful.
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female mosquito at rest
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Hopefully you now know a little bit more about the summertime buzz in your ears. Don't forget to pack your repellent, and if you want one that's herbal and not full of chemicals, try Burt's Bees. It uses the natural oils of Rosemary, Lemongrass, and Citronella to drive pesky mosquitoes away.
Andrew Williams / CritterZone.com
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The mosquito pictures and photos on this page are available for commercial stock photography license.
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