Page 148 - 8.5X11__AZ_VERSION_2_9-12-07

Anopheles spp. MOSQUITO LARVAE Anopheles spp. MOSQUITO LARVAE

Female Female
Male Male

Drawing by Andrew Schaible Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Drawing by Andrew Schaible Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
Male Aedes spp. Culex spp. Male Aedes spp. Culex spp.

Male Male

Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR

1.Antenna- 15 segmented, feathery 6.Thorax- shorter 1.Antenna- 15 segmented, feathery 6.Thorax- shorter
2.Eyes- 2 compound 7.Petiole- none MOSQUITO 2.Eyes- 2 compound 7.Petiole- none MOSQUITO
3.Head- piercing mouthparts “proboscis” 8.Abdomen- elongated 3.Head- piercing mouthparts “proboscis” 8.Abdomen- elongated
4.Legs- 6 elongated 9.Color- many varieties 4.Legs- 6 elongated 9.Color- many varieties
5.Wings- along body at rest 10.Other- vector of diseases 5 5.Wings- along body at rest 10.Other- vector of diseases 5
Life Cycle Life Cycle
After the female mosquito obtains the blood meal, she lays her eggs directly on the After the female mosquito obtains the blood meal, she lays her eggs directly on the
surface of stagnant water, or in a depression, or on the edge of a container where rain- surface of stagnant water, or in a depression, or on the edge of a container where rain-
water may collect and flood the eggs. The eggs hatch and a mosquito larva emerges. water may collect and flood the eggs. The eggs hatch and a mosquito larva emerges.
The larva/instar lives in the water, feeds on microscopic organisms, and then develops The larva/instar lives in the water, feeds on microscopic organisms, and then develops
into a pupa. The pupa also lives in the water, but no longer feeds. Finally, the mosquito 8 into a pupa. The pupa also lives in the water, but no longer feeds. Finally, the mosquito 8
emerges from both the pupa case and the water as a fully developed adult, ready to emerges from both the pupa case and the water as a fully developed adult, ready to
bite. Only the female bites. The egg, larva/instar and pupa stages are dependent on 2 bite. Only the female bites. The egg, larva/instar and pupa stages are dependent on 2
temperature to determine how long they take for development. Culex tarsalis, one of the temperature to determine how long they take for development. Culex tarsalis, one of the
common mosquitoes, might go through its life cycle in 14 days at 70º F and take only 10 4 common mosquitoes, might go through its life cycle in 14 days at 70º F and take only 10 4
days at 80º F. Some species have adapted to go through their entire life cycle in as little Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR days at 80º F. Some species have adapted to go through their entire life cycle in as little Photo Courtesy of UNIVAR
as four days or as long as one month. as four days or as long as one month.

Mosquitoes the Prolific Pests Mosquitoes the Prolific Pests
Actual size 1/4” Actual size 1/4”
Large numbers of mosquitoes can thrive in a relatively small quantity of stagnant water as long Large numbers of mosquitoes can thrive in a relatively small quantity of stagnant water as long
as it contains enough food material. In one area, a six-acre lake was found to be producing as it contains enough food material. In one area, a six-acre lake was found to be producing
about 500,000 mosquitoes per day! There are about 200 species of mosquitoes in the United about 500,000 mosquitoes per day! There are about 200 species of mosquitoes in the United
States, all of which live in specific habitats, exhibit unique behaviors and bite many types of States, all of which live in specific habitats, exhibit unique behaviors and bite many types of
animals. Of the many different species of mosquitoes, about 14 are considered serious pests. animals. Of the many different species of mosquitoes, about 14 are considered serious pests.
Most are known to suck the blood of man. Most are known to suck the blood of man.

The big four mosquito pests are: Southern House Mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus) which The big four mosquito pests are: Southern House Mosquito (Culex quinquefasciatus) which
breeds in foul water and, as the name suggests, is commonly found inside your house. It breeds in foul water and, as the name suggests, is commonly found inside your house. It
readily bites man, and is a significant carrier of the encephalitis virus. Encephalitis Mosquito readily bites man, and is a significant carrier of the encephalitis virus. Encephalitis Mosquito
(Culex tarsalis) which can breed in just about any water and is a common carrier of many seri- (Culex tarsalis) which can breed in just about any water and is a common carrier of many seri-
ous viruses and diseases, especially the West Nile virus. It rests in trees, where it bites birds. ous viruses and diseases, especially the West Nile virus. It rests in trees, where it bites birds.
It also feeds on human blood. It also feeds on human blood.

150 142