| General Description |
"For
practical purposes, the numerous species of mosquitoes can be grouped on the basis of
similarities in their larval habitat preferences which generally reflect other important
aspects of their bionomics and ecology, e.g. oviposition habits, developmental patterns,
brood patterns, seasonal density and dispersal." (D70)
There may be overlap between habitat types, and sometimes is a gradation:
consequently small numbers of species may occur that would be usually found
in a different habitat.
- Habitat - artificial containers and tree-holes.
(D70) |
| Notes |
General Information:
- Typical habitats include artificial containers of all
types, particularly those rich in organic matter (heavy sediment, decaying
leaves etc.). They also include natural settings such as treeholes, plants
in which water pools (such as pitcher plants, bromeliads and bamboo),
crabholes and decaying fruit. (D70, W254.Dec03.WNV7,
J300.10.w1)
- Treehole sites tend to have tannin-enriched water. This is
characteristically clear with rotting wood at the bottom. Many treehole
breeders now tend to use artificial containers (e.g. Tyres) which tend to
be numerous and may provide insulation against the weather. (W254.Dec03.WNV7,
J300.10.w1)
- Typical mosquito genera are mostly Aedes
(Genus) and Toxorhynchites
(Genus) and Orthopodomyia
(Genus) (neither of which are troublesome to man) - particularly Aedes
aegypti - Yellow fever mosquito, Aedes
triseriatus - Eastern treehole mosquito and Aedes
sierrensis.(D70)
- Mosquito eggs are laid singly on the inside wall of the container, at or
above the waterline, and hatch when flooded with water after a period of desiccation.(D70)
- Overwintering of mosquitoes is in the egg stage.(D70)
- There are multiple broods of mosquitoes in one season.(D70)
- Aedes
aegypti - Yellow fever mosquito and
Aedes
albopictus - Asian tiger mosquito
normally lay their eggs in artificial containers, whereas Aedes triseriatus
and Aedes
sierrensis females usually oviposit in natural cavities containing water, such as
tree holes, but their larvae are frequently found in artificial containers with heavy
sediment or decaying leaves.(D70)
- Although not included in the group on the basis of ecology and bionomics,
the females of Culex pipiens complex - Northern and Southern house mosquitoes
- [classified within "Transient Water"
mosquitoes] often oviposit in artificial containers of
all types, particularly those rich in organic matter. (D70)
- Aedes
albopictus - Asian tiger mosquito, Aedes
aegypti - Yellow fever mosquito and
Culex pipiens quinquefasciatus are important targets of urban
mosquito control campaigns because of their disease implications and their
association with artificial containers and therefore with human
habitations. (D70)
- Artificial containers such as tyres are an easy way in which mosquito
larvae may be transported beyond their natural range. (W254.Dec03.WNV7,
J300.10.w1)
Species Specific Information:
-
Anopheles barberi: The larvae of this species are reported to be
found in and around woodlands: in rot cavities in trees of many kinds, in
stumpholes, and occasionally in artificial containers (e.g. wooden tubs
and tin cans). Adults have occasionally been found resting underneath
bridges, in culverts, during the daytime, and in buildings that are
in/near wooded areas. (B505)
- Anopheles punctipennis -
Larvae of this species are found in a variety of aquatic habitats
including ponds, temporary pools, springs, pools in intermittent streams,
borrow pits, roadside puddles, wheel ruts in muddy roads, hog wallows,
eddies along the margins of flowing streams, and in rainwater barrels and
other artificial containers. This species seems to prefer cool, clear
water particularly in hill streams (B505).
- Orthopodomyia signifera
- The larvae of this species occur in water-filled rot
cavities in trees of many types and occasionally in artificial,
particularly wooden, containers. They favour treeholes with very putrid
water. (B505, W254.Dec03.WNV7,
J300.10.w1)
-
Orthopodomyia alba - The larvae of this species favour treeholes
with very putrid water. (B505, W254.Dec03.WNV7,
J300.10.w1)
- Aedes triseriatus - Eastern treehole mosquito
- The larvae develop in holes in many kinds of deciduous tress and
occasionally in artificial containers such as wooden tubs, barrels and
watering troughs. (B505)
- Aedes
aegypti - Yellow fever mosquito - This species is
semi-domesticated and larval
habitats
are almost exclusively in artificial containers in and around human habitations.
Typical artificial containers are flower vases, tin cans, jars, discarded
automobile tires, unused water closets, cisterns, rain barrels, sagging
roof gutters and tree holes. Larvae have been noted in rot cavities of
shade trees near residence, and in Africa the larvae are found in rot
cavities of trees in the jungle far from human habitations. (B505, D70)
- Aedes
albopictus - Asian tiger mosquito - The larvae are typically found in water-holding containers, particularly use tires. (D70)
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