It only weighs 2 to 2.5 milligrams and yet is one of the deadliest creatures in the world.
The mosquito is a vector (agents that carries and transmits an infectious pathogen into another living organism) for some of the most deadly and debilitating diseases known to man. They spread diseases like malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, encephalitis, chikungunya, West Nile virus and Zika. The mosquito is responsible for hundreds of thousands of deaths around the world every year.
The following are some of the most common mosquito species in the United States and the diseases they carry.
Aedes
Aedes is a genus of mosquito originally found in tropical and subtropical zones, but now found on all continents excluding Antarctica. This genus contains over 700 species. About half of the mosquitoes in North America are in the Aedes genus. Their eggs can withstand long periods of being dry or cold, so in cold climates, the adults die off while the eggs survive until spring. They lay eggs individually at or above the waterline or on dry ground. The eggs wait until wet weather or flooding dampens them, before they hatch. The larvae live in puddles, pools, marshes or wherever there’s temporary standing water. The adults usually bite in the evening, though some species bite in the day or night. Aedes mosquitoes carry a multitude of diseases, and can be vicious biters, and are usually found in large numbers.
Aedes aegypti
The yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) is a mosquito that can spread dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika fever and yellow fever viruses, and other diseases. The mosquito can be recognized by white markings on its legs and a marking in the form of a lyre on the upper surface of the thorax. The mosquito originated in Africa, but is now found in tropical and subtropical regions throughout the world.
United States Distribution
Feeding Habits: Feeds primarily on humans. Aedes aegypti is an aggressive daytime biter. They are most active during daylight and for approximately two hours after sunrise and several hours before sunset. This species also hunts indoors which makes it even more deadly as a disease carrier. Outside they rest where it is cool and shaded. It has a short range and rarely flies more than a block in it’s lifetime.
Diseases Spread: Dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika fever and yellow fever viruses, and other diseases. This species is the primary carrier of the Zika virus.
Aedes albopictus
The Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus) is a mosquito that can spread dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever viruses, and filariasis . The mosquito can be recognized by white markings on its legs and white stripes that give it the appearance of a tiger. It’s larger in size and darker than Aedes aegypti. The mosquito was typically native to tropical and subtropical areas in Southeast Asia but has spread throughout the world. It’s considered one of the top 100 worst invasive species in the world.
United States Distribution
Aedes albopictus range
Feeding Habits: The Asian tiger mosquito feeds primarily on humans but will look for animal hosts as well. It’s an aggressive and opportunistic daytime biter. It will bite as often in broad daylight as they will at dusk. They are ambush hunters and have a habit of attacking the lower extremities making them hard to detect. They also have short feeding sessions and will often bite the same host several times in a feeding. Will look for hosts both indoors and outside.
Diseases Spread: Dengue fever, chikungunya, yellow fever viruses, West Nile, Eastern equine encephalitis, Japanese encephalitis and filariasis. It has tested positive for Zika.
Culex
Culex is a genus of mosquito found worldwide except for most extreme northern parts of temperate zone. This genus contains over 1000 species. They are one of the most common mosquitoes encountered in major US cities as they live and breed in close proximity to human activity. It favors standing water to lay its eggs and often uses common outdoor objects like bird baths, decorative ponds and pots to breed. Although humans aren’t their preferred meal they do carry and spread many diseases such as Japanese encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis, filariasis and West Nile virus. It is currently being studied if they are carriers of the Zika virus.
Culex Pipiens
The Northern house mosquito (culex pipiens) is brownish or grayish brown with brownish iridescent wings and a rounded abdomen. It is typically 3 to 7 millimeters in length. It’s one of the most widely distributed mosquito species in the world. It is mainly found in temperate regions. As the name implies it lives near humans and is the most common mosquito found in urban areas. It will often overwinter inside homes.
United States Distribution: This mosquito is primarily found in the upper northern half of the United states from coast to coast and in southern Canada.
Feeding Habits: The Northern house mosquito feeds primarily on birds but will look for human and animal hosts as well. It typically bites at dawn and after dusk.
Diseases Spread: West Nile virus, St Louis encephalitis and Japanese encephalitis. It is also a vector for heartworm in dogs.
Culex Tarsalis
The Culex Tarsalis is a black mosquito distinguished by a white band on its proboscis, as well as white bands on its tarsal joints. It also has white longitudinal stripes extending along the middle and hind legs, and dark chevron patterns along the underside of its abdominal segments. It has a rounded abdomen. They breed in enormous numbers particularly in any sunlit standing freshwater.
United States Distribution: It’s found west of the Mississippi from northern Mexico to southern Canada. It is most abundant in California.
Feeding Habits: Culex Tarsis feeds primarily on birds or mammals but will look for human hosts as well. It is most active the hours after sunset. Typically rests in shaded areas during the day.
Diseases Spread: West Nile Virus, St Louis encephalitis, California encephalitis and Western equine encephalitis.
Anopheles
Anopheles is a genus of mosquito found on all continents excluding Antarctica. This is the only genus that is known to transmit human malaria and is responsible for over 400,000 deaths worldwide per year. This genus contains over 460 species of which 40 are known to transmit malaria. Although malaria has been eradicated in the United States there are several species that are capable of carrying the parasite responsible for malaria. They are also vectors of other diseases such as canine heartworm and Wuchereria bancrofti. Its scientific name translated from Greek means “useless”.
Worldwide Distribution
Anopheles Quadrimaculatus
The common Malaria mosquito (anopheles quadrimaculatus) is a dark brown mosquito distinguished by tasting organs (palpi) as long as their proboscis and dark brown to black hairs. They also have dark scales on the wings with patches of scales forming four darker spots on the wing. An unusual characteristic of this species is that they rest with their abdomens positioned at a 45 degree angle to the surface, whereas other species keep their bodies parallel to the surface.
United States Distribution: Found primarily in the eastern part of the United States from the east coast to Texas panhandle and in northern Mexico and southern Canada. Most commonly found in southeastern United States.
Feeding Habits: Anopheles Quadrimaculatus feeds primarily on large mammals including humans. It is most active the hours after sunset and rest in shaded areas during the day.
Diseases Spread: A possible vector for malaria and is also a suspected carrier of West Nile virus.
Anopheles Freeborni
The Anopheles Freeborni is a straw-color mosquito distinguished by long tasting organs (palpi) as long as their proboscis and wings dotted with darker spots. The female’s clear abdomen will turn red and swell when engorged with blood.
United States Distribution: The West coast from Northern Mexico to Southern Canada.
Feeding Habits: Anopheles Freeborni feeds primarily on large mammals including humans. It is most active the hours after sunset and rest in shaded areas during the day. This species will travel further than other mosquitoes to find a host.
Diseases Spread: It can be a vector for malaria and is also a suspected carrier of West Nile virus.
Here’s a great video from DNews that explains how mosquitoes are well adapted to transmitting diseases.