MOSQUITO

MORPHOLOGY & LIFE CYCLE

 INTRODUCTION
•
There are over 2500 different species of mosquitoes
throughout the world of which 150 species occur in
the United States. 52 species occur in California,
and 19 species occur in Alameda County. In the
course of the District's operation about 10 species
are commonly found in the County. Eight of the
species account for over 99% of complaints from
the public.
Each of the species has a scientific name that is
latin, such as Culex tarsalis. These names are used
in a descriptive manner so that the name tells
something about this particular mosquito. Some
species have what is called "common names" as
well as scientific names, such as Anopheles
freeborni, the "Western malaria mosquito
• All mosquitoes must have water in which to
complete their life cycle. This water can
range in quality from melted snow water to
sewage effluent and it can be in any
container imaginable. The type of water in
which the mosquito larvae is found can be an
aid to the identification of which species it
may be. Also, the adult mosquitoes show a
very distinct preference for the types of
sources in which to lay their eggs. They lay
their eggs in such places such as tree holes
that periodically hold water, tide water pools
in salt marshes, sewage effluent ponds,
irrigated pastures, rain water ponds, etc. Each
species therefore has unique environmental
requirements for the maintenance of its life
cycle
• The feeding habits of mosquitoes are quite unique in
that it is only the adult females that bite man and
other animals. The male mosquitoes feed only on
plant juices. Some female mosquitoes prefer to feed
on only one type of animal or they can feed on a
variety of animals. Female mosquitoes feed on man,
domesticated animals, such as cattle, horses, goats,
etc; all types of birds including chickens; all types of
wild animals including deer, rabbits; and they also
feed on snakes, lizards, frogs, and toads.
Most female mosquitoes have to feed on an animal
and get a sufficient blood meal before she can
develop eggs. If they do not get this blood meal,
then they will die without laying viable eggs.
However, some species of mosquitoes have
developed the means to lay viable eggs without
getting a blood meal.
• The flight habits of mosquitoes depend
again on the species with which we are
dealing. Most domestic species remain
fairly close to their point of origin while
some species known for their migration
habits are often an annoyance far from
their breeding place. The flight range for
females is usually longer than that of
males. Many times wind is a factor in the
dispersal or migration of mosquitoes. Most
mosquitoes stay within a mile or two of
their source. However, some have been
recorded as far as 75 miles from their
breeding source.
• The length of life of the adult
mosquito usually depends on
several factors: temperature,
humidity, sex of the mosquito and
time of year. Most males live a very
short time, about a week; and
females live about a month
depending on the above factors.
 MORPHOLOGY
• Like all insects, the mosquito has three basic body
parts: head, thorax, and abdomen.
• Head: This is where all the sensors and the biting
apparatus are located. The head consists of two
compound eyes, antennae to sense chemicals and
the mouth parts called the palpus and the
proboscis (only in females).
• Thorax - This segment is where the two wings and six
legs attach. It contains the flight muscles,
compound heart and nerve cell ganglia and
trachioles.
• Abdomen - This segment contains the digestive and
excretory organs.
• Mosquitoes are similar to flies in that they have two
wings, yet unlike flies, their wings have scales. Their
legs are also longer than those of flies, and the
female mosquitoes have a long mouth part
(proboscis) used for piercing the skin of their prey.
 The Sensors

• The head of the mosquito contains different sensors

which aid the female in finding a host:
• Chemical sensors: These sensors enable mosquitoes
to find their prey as they can detect carbon dioxide
and lactic acid up to 100 feet away. Mammals and
birds give off these gases when they breathe.
Certain chemicals in sweat also attract mosquitoes.
• Visual sensors - Wearing clothing that contrasts with
the background and even moving while wearing
that clothing, helps mosquitoes see you and target
you as their next prey. If you are moving, they know
you are alive, and thus full of the blood they need.
• Heat sensors - Mosquitoes can detect heat. These
special sensors help them find warm-blooded
humans and/or animals when they are within a
certain proximity.

The Mosquito - Life Cycle
• The mosquito has four distinct stages in its
life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The
adult is an active flying insect, while the
larvae and pupae are aquatic and occur only
in water. Depending on the species, eggs are
laid either on the surface of water or are
deposited on moist soil or other objects that
will often be flooded.
• Eggs
• Larvae
• Pupae
• Adult
• Principal Characters for Identifying Aedes
, Anopheles, and Culex
 Eggs
• One factor common to all mosquito species is that eggs are
laid in association with free water or on a moist surface.
Eggs are white when first deposited, darkening to a black
or dark brown within 12-24 hours. Single eggs are about
1/50 inch (0.5mm) long, and those of most species
appear similar when seen by the naked eye (one
exception is the Anopheles spp. whose eggs have floats
attached to each side of the egg). Eggs are laid singly by
some species, and others lay eggs together to form rafts.
The incubation period (time between when eggs are laid
and when they hatch) may vary considerably among
species. Eggs of permanent-water mosquitoes where
eggs are deposited on the water surface may hatch in 1-
3 days depending on temperature. Floodwater species
deposit their eggs on moist soil or another wet substrate
and have a wide variation in incubation periods. These
eggs will not hatch until submerged by rising water
caused by rainfall, melting snow in the spring, or other
floodwater. Depending on the species and conditions
these eggs may hatch the next time they are flooded, as
soon as ten days, or may not hatch until they are flooded
a year or more later.
 Larvae
• The larvae (wigglers or wrigglers) of all
mosquitoes live in water and have four
developmental periods or instars. These are
called 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th instars with each
succeeding stage larger than the last. At the
end of each instar, the larva sheds its skin by
a process called molting. The larva is an
active feeding stage. Larvae feed on
particulate organic material in the water. The
larvae of most species have a breathing tube
and must occasionally come to the surface of
the water to get oxygen. The total length of
time that larvae spend in the larval stage
depends on the species and the water
temperature. Some can develop in as little as
5 or 6 days. Upon maturity the 4th instar
larvae molts into the pupal stage.
 Pupae
• Unlike most other insects, the mosquito pupa is very
active, and, like the larva, lives in water. It differs
greatly from the larva in shape and appearance.
The pupa has a comma-shaped body divisible into
two distinct regions. The front region consists of the
head and thorax (cephalothorax) and is greatly
enlarged. It bears a pair of respiratory trumpets on
the upper surface. It must periodically come to the
surface to get oxygen. The second region is the
abdomen which has freely-movable segments with
a pair of paddle-like appendages at the tip. Feeding
does not take place during the pupal stage. The
pupal stage only lasts for a few days and is the
stage when all the larval tissues change into the
adult tissues. The adult emerges directly from the
pupal case on the surface of the water.
•
Anopheles spp.
 Adult
• The adult mosquito is entirely terrestrial and is capable of
flying long distances. Both females and males feed on
nectars which they use for energy. Males and females
mate during the first 3 to 5 days after they have
emerged. Females mate only once. Males generally live
for only a week. Only the females feed on blood, which is
what is occurring when they are biting. Females
evidently gain little nourishment from blood meals but
need them in order to develop eggs. Many mosquitoes
feed on any warm-blooded bird or mammal. However,
some prefer cold-blooded animals. Some species also
prefer birds and seldom feed on mammals, which is the
case with Culex spp. mosquitoes which are known to
transmit the West Nile virus (WNV). Unfortunately many
species feed on a wide range of warm-blooded mammals
and humans are often attacked. Once a female has
completely engorged she flies to a shaded environment
until her eggs are completely developed, usually 3 to 5
days
• Once the eggs are developed the female is called a
gravid female and she begins to search for a
desirable place to lay her eggs. If a female survives
her egg laying activities, she will very soon start
searching for another blood meal after which she
will lay another batch of eggs. She does not need to
mate a second time. Generally a female will only
live long enough to lay 1 to 3 batches of eggs.
• Most mosquito species are actively searching for a
blood meal in the evening hours from just before
dark until 2 to 3 hours after dark. During the
daytime the females normally rest in cooler
vegetated areas where the humidity is higher and
they are protected from drying out. Females will
often bite in the daytime if humans or animals
invade the wooded areas where they are resting.
However, Aedes albopictus is an aggressive biter
which prefers to feed during the daylight hours and
is often a nuisance in urban areas.
Aedes albopictus female
Aedes albopictus male
 The Mosquito - Habitats

•  
• Mosquitoes live around water. Various
species breed and make their homes
in the following areas:
• Salt Marshes
Freshwater Marshes
Temporary Woodland Pools
.Roadside Ditche
Artificial
Containers
.
•
 Mosquito Control -
Attraction
• Mosquitoes are attracted to things that remind them of
nectar or mammal flesh. So, when outdoors during a
mosquito peak time, wear clothing that covers most of
your body, keeping as much of your skin covered as
possible.
• Avoid wearing bright, floral colors as they attract
mosquitoes. Khaki, beige, and olive are better color
choices as they have no particular attraction for
mosquitoes.
• Mosquitoes are attracted to particular body odors which is
one of the reasons why some people are bitten more
than others. Yale University researchers have actually
identified a component in sweat that is especially
attractive to female mosquitoes. So, if your body is
sweaty, rid yourself of the musk-like scent before
spending time outdoors.
• Avoid fragrances in soaps, shampoos, and body lotions.
Strong scents will attract mosquitoes to you.
• Avoid the outdoors during the peak biting times which is
from dusk to dawn and when the weather is hot or
humid.
 Mosquito Control -
Protection
• Keeping mosquitoes away from you is the
first step to avoiding a bite. Not wearing
bright colors and strongly scented
perfumes and lotions may help in keeping
mosquitoes away, but these tricks are not
100% effective.
• You must take all necessary precautions to
protect yourself and any children from
mosquito bites. While most bites are
nothing more serious than an
uncomfortable, itchy bump, some bites
may lead to more serious problems. Learn
more about the different diseases carried
by certain mosquito species throughout
North America.
• The most effective insect repellent is DEET
(N-diethyl meta-toluamide.)
 Mosquito Control -
Repellent and Control
Techniques
• Mosquito Netting
Mosquito netting is a protective covering that
prevents mosquitoes and other insects from
biting you. There are different shapes and
sizes of mosquito netting, and they also come
in different materials such as cotton,
polyester, and polymide. Mosquito Traps
Mosquito traps lure and capture female
mosquitoes. The trap mimics the different
mosquito attractants such as exhaled carbon
dioxide, human scents and body heat.
Attracted by these chemicals, the insect
approaches and an impeller fan draws it in. It
then adheres to a sticky surface on the device
and is eventually electrocuted. Mosquito traps
are powered by electricity or propane and are
a safe, chemical free method of mosquito
 Mosquito Magnet
•
The Mosquito Magnet mimics
mammals by giving off carbon
dioxide, heat and moisture. These
are combined with an attractant
called octenol which is a natural
plant pheromone. As an advantage,
the Mosquito Magnet not only
captures mosquitoes, but will also
kill biting midges, black flies, and
sandflies. It vacuums the insects
into a net where they dehydrate
 Mosquito Repellent
Devices
•
There are a variety of small, personal
mosquito repellent devices available
which can be placed near or around
you when outdoors. They promise to
keep all unwanted insects away.
Different devices use different
repellent techniques. Some of these
include:
• high frequency sounds
• blue-light lamps
• geranium oil
• low-frequency wing beat sounds