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Mosquito Life Cycle Mosquito Life Cycle
Eggs Eggs
Larval/Instar Larval/Instar
Pupa Pupa
Larval/Instar Larval/Instar
Photos Courtesy of UNIVAR Photos Courtesy of UNIVAR
MOSQUITOES, CONTINUED MOSQUITOES, CONTINUED
Foul Water Mosquito (Culex peus) which breeds in polluted water and frequently carries virus- Foul Water Mosquito (Culex peus) which breeds in polluted water and frequently carries virus-
es and diseases, but rarely bites humans. Tule Mosquito (Culex erythrothorax) which breeds in es and diseases, but rarely bites humans. Tule Mosquito (Culex erythrothorax) which breeds in
all kinds of shallow ponds, especially marshes. It readily bites people, and is a carrier of viruses all kinds of shallow ponds, especially marshes. It readily bites people, and is a carrier of viruses
and diseases. and diseases.
Mosquitoes find their hosts by the use of antennae and NOT by sight. They are attracted to Mosquitoes find their hosts by the use of antennae and NOT by sight. They are attracted to
moisture, warmth, and carbon dioxide--exactly what you exhale, which frequently leads them to moisture, warmth, and carbon dioxide--exactly what you exhale, which frequently leads them to
you as you sleep. They are excellent fliers, with some species showing a range of 18-110 miles you as you sleep. They are excellent fliers, with some species showing a range of 18-110 miles
in the extreme. The average mosquito will fly upwind no more than about two miles and down- in the extreme. The average mosquito will fly upwind no more than about two miles and down-
wind up to nine miles. Most mosquitoes will stay within a three-mile range, flying between five wind up to nine miles. Most mosquitoes will stay within a three-mile range, flying between five
and fifty feet off the ground. They prefer light winds with velocities of below six MPH. and fifty feet off the ground. They prefer light winds with velocities of below six MPH.
Mosquitoes and the Diseases They Can Carry Mosquitoes and the Diseases They Can Carry
Almost everyone has had the bad experience of being bitten by a mosquito. Mosquito bites Almost everyone has had the bad experience of being bitten by a mosquito. Mosquito bites
can cause severe skin irritation through an allergic reaction to the mosquito’s saliva --this is can cause severe skin irritation through an allergic reaction to the mosquito’s saliva --this is
what causes the familiar red bump and itching. They can be voracious feeders--a mosquito can what causes the familiar red bump and itching. They can be voracious feeders--a mosquito can
show a weight gain of up to 140% with a single meal of blood. But mosquitoes are more than show a weight gain of up to 140% with a single meal of blood. But mosquitoes are more than
just blood-sucking pests. A far more serious consequence of some mosquito bites can be the just blood-sucking pests. A far more serious consequence of some mosquito bites can be the
transmission of certain infectious diseases such as Malaria, the West Nile virus, Yellow fever, transmission of certain infectious diseases such as Malaria, the West Nile virus, Yellow fever,
Filariasis, Dengue fever, and several forms of Encephalitis. With the establishment of Mosquito Filariasis, Dengue fever, and several forms of Encephalitis. With the establishment of Mosquito
Abatement Districts the endemic Malaria problem has been eliminated, but with malaria still Abatement Districts the endemic Malaria problem has been eliminated, but with malaria still
being a serious worldwide problem, human hosts can bring it into our country where it has still being a serious worldwide problem, human hosts can bring it into our country where it has still
spread in small areas before being detected and treated. Over the past few years the mosquito- spread in small areas before being detected and treated. Over the past few years the mosquito-
borne West Nile virus has been carried into Arizona from the eastern United States, where it borne West Nile virus has been carried into Arizona from the eastern United States, where it
was first detected in 1999. The virus can cause fever and severe headaches, and may cause was first detected in 1999. The virus can cause fever and severe headaches, and may cause
serious illness in people over 50 years of age, including swelling of the brain and spinal cord. serious illness in people over 50 years of age, including swelling of the brain and spinal cord.
The Center for Disease Control reports that the West Nile virus is permanently established in The Center for Disease Control reports that the West Nile virus is permanently established in
North America. North America.
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