Adult |
- Head:
- small and almost spherical in Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family). (B24, D70)
- pair of prominent, large compound
eyes in Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family). (B46, D70)
- joined to the thorax
by a narrow membranous connection in Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family). (D70)
- Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) have a pair of long, filamentous, segmented antennae;
conspicuous and plumose
in the males and pilose
in females. (B24)
- the antennae of Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) found in North America consist of 15 segments, only 14 of
which are ordinarily visible. Each of the last 13 segments has a whorl of hairs which are
short and sparse in the females, but long and bushy in the males. (D70)
- the palpi of Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) have five segments and originate at the lower front margin of
the head
near the proboscis.
(D70)
- the proboscis
of Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) consists of a labium
enclosing a group of six stylets
and is adapted for piercing and sucking. (B24, B504, D70)
- the proboscis
is long and slender, and projects downwards and forwards from the lower front margin of
the head
in Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family). (B24, B504, D70)
- in Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) the labium
encloses paired maxillae,
mandibles,
an epipharynx
and a hypopharynx.
(B46
- in Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) the hypopharynx
carries a salivary duct, through which an anticoagulant is delivered into the hosts
tissues. (B46)
- the roof of the proboscis
in Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) is formed by the labrum.
(B46)
- Thorax:
- Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) have three pairs of long legs and two wings attached to the thorax.
(B24, B46, D70)
- overall the thorax
is wedge-shaped in Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) - broad end is dorsal. (B24)
- the upper surface of the thorax
(scutum)
of Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) is covered with coarse hairs or scales, which are variously
coloured. (D70)
- the sides of the thorax
of Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) may be covered with scale bristles and bear several groups of
hair or bristles, which are useful for identification. (D70)
- the legs of Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) arise from the lower sides of the thorax.
(D70)
- each leg of Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) consists of a short, conical coxa, a
small hinge-like trochanter,
a stout femur,
a long slender tibia,
and a 5-segmented tarsus.
(D70)
- the first segment of the tarsus
of Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) is the longest in length and is often equal to the tibia. (D70)
- the fifth tarsal
segment of Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) bears a small pair of claws. (D70)
- the legs are covered with dark or coloured scales that form patterns
which are often useful in identifying species. (D70)
- wings are long and narrow in Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) with leaf-like, elongate scales (close-set row of long, slender
scales) on the veins and which project as a fringe along the posterior margins. (B24, B46, B504, D70)
- the varying colours of the scales sometimes form definite patterns which
can assist with species identification. (D70)
- wings folded over abdomen
at rest in Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family). (B24)
- two halteres
are located behind and slightly below the wings. (D70)
- Abdomen:
|
Male
characteristics (if different from above) |
|
Shape |
- In Culicine
Mosquitoes the resting position of abdomen is pointed towards the resting
surface, i.e. the proboscis and abdomen are at an angle, giving a hump-backed appearance.
(B24, B503)
|
Size |
- Medium-sized species. (B505)
|
Colour |
- It can be easily recognised by the golden colour of the upper side of the
thorax and longitudinal stripe of white or yellowish-white scales on the abdomen.
The proboscis and tarsi have wide pale bands. (D70)
- The upper side of the thorax is a golden colour and the abdomen has a
longitudinal stripe of white or yellowish-white scales. (D70)
- The proboscis and tarsi have wide pale bands. (D70)
|
Detailed
Anatomical Comments |
HEAD
- In Culicines- the palpi of females are very short, while those of the male are usually as
long as the proboscis, not clubbed, long, densely haired, and pointed. (B24, B503, D70)
THORAX
- In Culicine mosquitoes the scutellum (posterior part of the back of the thorax of the
insect) is evenly curved. (B24, B503)
- Aedes/Ochlerotatus
genera species do not have
spiracular bristles in front of the mesothoracic spiracles, but do have post-spiracular
bristles (a group of bristles immediately behind the mesothoracic spiracle). (B503)
ABDOMEN
- In Culicines the abdomen is covered with scales which often form characteristic markings. (D70)
- Aedes/Ochlerotatus
genera females usually have a
pointed tip to the abdomen with the paired cerci (jointed appendage at the tip of the
abdomen in insects) protruding. (B503)
- In Aedes/Ochlerotatus
genera
species, the female abdomen is tapered apically, with the eighth segment withdrawn into
the seventh. (D70)
|
Egg
production and development |
|
|
| Oviposition (place and type of
egg-laying) |
- Aedes/Ochlerotatus
genera eggs are usually laid as
single eggs, near water (B24, B24)
- The eggs of this species are laid on the mud or on plants in marshes
where they remain until flooded by high tides or rains. (D70)
|
| Time to hatching |
- Hatching of Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) eggs occurs after several days to weeks and is
temperature-dependent. (B46)
- After the eggs of this species have been dry for a week or two, they
hatch within a few minutes if covered with water. (D70)
|
| Number of broods |
- Some of the woodland Aedes/Ochlerotatus
genera species have a single brood each year and so are particularly
troublesome early in the season. (B503)
|
Larval Development / Natural Diet / Behaviour |
|
|
| Natural Diet |
|
| Physiological Requirements |
Temperature
Food supplies:
Respiration:
|
| Predation in the wild |
|
| Behaviour and Activity Patterns |
- Young stages of Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) can be transferred to new areas by water flowing
intermittently. (B24)
- Too much rain can wash away the larvae and decrease the number of Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family), unless pools remain afterwards. (B24)
- Generally, Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) larvae can rest just beneath the surface without effort; certain
non-wetting structures suspend the larvae from the water surface film. (D70)
- Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) larvae move in two ways, by:
- jerks of the body. (D70)
- propulsion with the mouth brushes. (D70)
- Culicine
mosquitoes generally move by using mouth brushes to "crawl" over
the bottom and move slowly on the surface. (D70)
- Culicine
larvae:
- tend to hang head down with only the tip of the air tube penetrating the
surface film, suspended from the water surface by the air tube. (B503, D70).
- feed below surface of the water. (B24)
- the air tube is closed by the chitinous valves which open when the larva
goes to the surface of the water to breath. (B24)
|
Pupal Development |
- All Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) pupae are aquatic and motile, using paddle-like, oval
extensions attached terminally to the abdomen to move up and down in the water. (B46, D70).
- The pupal stage for Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) is usually short: a few hours may be sufficient for certain dry
climate species, but more normally ranges from two days in the tropics but can be more
than several weeks in temperate regions. (B46, B504, D70)
- No Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) pupa is known to overwinter as a pupa. (D70)
- The Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) pupa release the adult through a hole / split in back (dorsum)
of the pupal cuticle (tegument) as the pupal case floats on the surface of the water. The
wings are fully expanded and hardened after about 24 hours and the mosquito is then soon
able to fly. (B46,
B504, D70)
|
| Natural Diet |
|
| Physiological Requirements |
Respiration
|
| Predation in the wild |
- Probably - fish, insects. (D70)
|
| Behaviour and Activity Patterns |
- All Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) pupae are motile, using paddle-like, oval extensions attached
terminally to the abdomen to move up and down in the water. (B46, D70).
- Most Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) pupae tend to be lighter than water due to an air space between
the wing cases on the underside of the cephalothorax. (D70)
- Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) pupae can move about with considerable speed by vigorous
movement of the abdomen, tending to rise directly to the surface when movement stops
although they tend to be not quite as active as the larvae. (B24, D70)
|
Adult Reproduction / Physiology / Natural Diet / Behaviour |
|
|
| Natural Diet |
- Described as mammalophilic (preferring to feed on
mammals) (Information source not published - taken from website
W170).
- Most Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) species have a
generally preferred group of hosts (e.g. birds, mammals, amphibians), but
host preference can vary seasonally and often depends on availability. (V.w55)
- Female adult Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) species of veterinary and medical importance normally feed on
blood and many species require a blood feed in order to lay eggs (other species of
mosquitoes feed only on plants and these are usually of little interest as disease vectors
or pests. B504);
the protein is necessary for the maturation of ovaries. This cycle requires two or more
days for the female to digest the blood, lay a batch of eggs, then seek another blood
meal; the cycle can be repeated many times in a female's life. (B24, B504, D70)
- When Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) females feed, a tube is formed by the proboscis
and the stylets penetrate the skin of the animal and form a small duct through which
saliva is injected into the wound; they also act as a canal through which liquid food is
ingested. (B46,
D70)
- Adult Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) can be fed on fruit juices and sugar water, and males normally
feed on a similar diet in the wild. (B24)
- Adult male Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) (and occasionally the females) feed on nectar and other plant
juices. (B24,
B503)
- female adult Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) can bite through clothing. (B46)
|
| Predation in the wild |
-- |
| Reproduction and Life-span |
- Flagellum of spermatozoa of Hexapoda has
microtubule arrangement of 9 + 9 + 2. (B502)
- The male Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) usually emerge first. (D70)
- Only one mating by the females Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) is generally required to fertilise her lifetime egg production.
(D70)
- The life-span of adult Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) is not well known; some species apparently live one or two
months during summer, whereas adults that hibernate can live for six months or more. (D70)
- Approximately equal number of male and female Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) are produced. (D70)
- Although the life span of adult Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) is usually short, females that are too late to lay due to
environmental conditions, may either hibernate or aestivate until the following
season. (B24)
- Several generations of this species are produced each year in the
northern states of the United States. In south Florida breeding is continuous throughout
the year. (D70)
- The adults of this species are strong fliers and often travel 5 to 10
miles (up to 40 miles or more). (D70)
|
| Behaviour and Activity Patterns |
- The adults are strong fliers and often migrate in large swarms from the marshes to cities and towns many miles
away. An occasional female has been trapped as far as 100 miles from the
salt-water. (B505, D70)
- The adults do not often invade homes. (D70)
- The females are persistent biters and will attack any
time during the day or night: they rest in the vegetation during the
day-time and will attack anyone entering their haunts, even in full
sunlight. (B505)
- The feeding behaviour of the female adult Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) may cause great nuisance to their host species
and bites can be painful and may become secondarily infected. (B24, B46, V.w6)
- Female adult Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) tend to hide in dark corners (hollow trees, culverts etc.)
during the day and may use these as hibernacula. (B24, B46, B503)
- female Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) tend to live longer and travel greater distances than the male.
(D70)
- Female adult Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) seem to be attracted by skin warmth. (B24)
- Female adult Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) are usually active at night (nocturnal feeders), in twilight
hours or in dense shade, although some species may feed entirely during the day. (B24, B46, B503, D70)
- Adult Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) may fly fair distances, varying between different species, and
may be carried by the wind, or travel in a number of stages. They can also travel in
vehicles. (B24)
- This species can fly 10 to 20 miles or more. (D70)
- This species, like some other salt-marsh mosquitoes, may be found many
miles from the larval habitat. (B503)
- The migratory flights begin just before dark and frequently consist of
tremendous numbers of these mosquitoes. (D70)
- In the daytime these females rest on vegetation and will readily attack
anyone who disturbs them, even in full sunlight. (D70)
|
| Detailed Physiological Comments |
- the antennae
of Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) are believed to to used for hearing and smelling. (D70)
- Two small knobbed structures (halteres) vibrate rapidly whilst the
mosquito is in flight and serve as organs of equilibrium. (D70)
|
Microhabitat (Egg, Larvae, Pupae, Adult) |
| Egg |
Temperature
Humidity
|
| Larva |
- Larval production generally occurs on the mud or on plants in marshes where they remain
until flooded by high tides or rains. (D70)
- All Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) larvae live in water. (D70)
- Development of the eggs, larvae
and pupae
of all Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) species require water. (D70)
- Vegetation is important for the development of larval Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family). (D70)
- Habitats of larval Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) vary greatly between species and may include small temporary
collections of water (puddles etc.) to marshes. The larvae are rarely found in
fast-flowing streams or rivers, or large uninterrupted waterbodies such as lakes. (B46)
- Aedes/Ochlerotatus
genera species breed
mainly in woodland pools and salt marshes. (B503)
- All Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) larvae live in water, permanent ponds and marshes, temporary
flood waters or woodland pools, water contained in tree holes, leaves of plants, or
artificial containers. (D70)
- Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) larvae are not usually found in flowing streams and the
open waters of large streams, lakes and seas. (D70)
- The larvae of this species are generally found on the parts of the marsh
not covered by daily tides; usually pot holes and depressions of various size are
utilised, but sometimes large numbers of larvae are found over rather extensive level
areas. (D70)
Light:
|
| Pupa |
|
| Adult |
- Hibernation / aestivation sites of Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) females are usually relatively dark conditions with an
even temperature, such as cellars, barns and lofts under thatched roofs. (B24)
Light:
- Female adult Culicidae
- Mosquitoes (Family) are active at night and tend to hide in dark corners during the
day and also during aestivation / hibernation. (B24)
- Large numbers of females and males are often collected in light traps,
but the adults do not often invade homes. (D70)
|
