Three common mosquitoes that love to bite people
Among them, some mosquito species have a particularly obvious impact on human health, such as yellow fever mosquitoes, malaria mosquitoes and Zika virus mosquitoes. These mosquitoes not only cause disease transmission by biting humans, but also have serious impacts on the local economy, society and environment in some areas.
Of course, everyone should know this common sense-male mosquitoes do not bite humans! All types of male mosquitoes do not bite!
Next, we will focus on the three types of female mosquitoes that bite you the most.
一、AEDES MOSQUITOES
Aedes mosquitoes include several species behind some of the world's most significant mosquito-borne diseases, including dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever.2 This group includes two pests of special concern: the yellow fever mosquito, known by the scientific name Aedes aegytpi, and the Asian tiger mosquito, also known as Aedes albopictus. These exotic species are native to Africa and Asia, but they've expanded their range to tropical and subtropical areas around the world — and brought an increased risk of diseases with them. Aedes mosquitoes are now establishing throughout the Eastern seaboard, across the southern tier of the United States, and along the West Coast.
Aedes mosquitoes stand out from other types in several ways. Their black bodies bear striking white markings, and these pests primarily bite humans during daylight hours instead of dusk to dawn. They lay large groups of individual eggs on the wet, inside walls of water-holding containers, right above the water line. White when laid, the eggs soon turn shiny black. Aedes mosquitoes have adapted very well to urban environments. They thrive in urban areas where small, water-holding receptacles such as flower vases and plant saucers create multiple breeding grounds.
Aedes eggs become very dark and shiny.
二、CULEX MOSQUITOES
Common Culex mosquito larvae hang by distinct breathing siphons.
The pests thought of as common mosquitoes fall in the Culex category. This large genus includes the Northern house mosquito, known by the scientific name Culex pipiens, and the Southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus. These common mosquitoes are the primary culprits behind the transmission of West Nile virus, a disease now established in all 48 contiguous states of the U.S. They also transmit dog heartworm, Eastern equine encephalitis and several other significant diseases.1 Culex mosquitoes occur worldwide, in all but the coldest regions.
As a group, Culex mosquitoes are unremarkable, brownish pests found in rural, agricultural settings and urban areas. They feed on birds, which are the primary carriers of West Nile virus, as well as people and other animals, including horses. Their most active biting times occur between sundown and sunrise. Culex mosquitoes lay clusters of white eggs on the water's surface. The clusters soon darken and float like rafts. Stagnant water in containers, ditches and ponds are favorite breeding spots for these pests.
Culex mosquitoes lay rafts of clustered eggs.
三、ANOPHELES MOSQUITOES
The Anopheles mosquito has an exaggerated, perpendicular feeding position.
Also known as malaria mosquitoes, this group includes the common malaria mosquito, known by the scientific name Anopheles quadrimaculatus. All mosquitoes have scales on their wings, but the scales on this thin, spindly-legged, deep brown species form four dark wing patches. Anopheles mosquitoes are the only mosquitoes that transmit the parasite that causes malaria. These pests feed on people and other animals during evening hours. They're concentrated in the Southeast, but they have spread through much of the eastern United States.
Anopheles mosquitoes lay individual white eggs on the surface of standing water. The eggs, which soon darken, have unique "floats" attached that keep them on the surface —not the container sides — until they hatch. Unlike more common mosquitoes, malaria mosquito larvae don't hang perpendicular below the water's surface by a breathing siphon; they lay parallel to the surface, right below it. Adults also have an unusual feeding and resting position. They hold their bodies at a sharp angle, with their rears raised.
