Mosquitoes Flashcards
(66 cards)
mosquitoes develop through which life cycle
complete metamorphosis
which stage do mosquitoes become medically important vectors and pests
adult stage
required for larval development
water
can be laid singly or in groups; on or near water; on soil , vegetation or other objects close to water; or on soil that is susceptible to seasonal flooding
eggs
live in water, also known as “wigglers”
can be found in large bodies of water or in very small amounts
larvae
shaped like a comma
live in water and stay on the surface
known as “tumblers”
do not feed
capable of quick, short movements used for escaping
pupae
capable of flight
average flight distance is between 54 yards and 31 miles
many only flying 1-3 miles
both M/F feed on nectar
F only feed on blood, required for egg production
adults
have feathery antennae
males
have hairy antennae
females
Eggs:
laid as a raft, comprised of up to 300 eggs
free floating on water surfaces
Culex mosquito
Habitats:
breed in pools, puddles, ditches, rice fields, water polluted w/ organic debris
found world-wide except extreme northern parts of temp zones
Culex mosquito
Larvae:
have a long siphon “tube” used for respiration and suspend perpendicular from the water’s surface
react to shadows
when disturbed, dive straight down
collect by quickly dipping under the diving larvae
Culex mosquito
Adults:
most often non-descript scales
females tend to rest indoors or in sheltered location before and after feeding and during the day
Culex mosquito
Eggs:
laid individually on damp soil or on the inner, wet walls of artificial containers w/ water, just above the waterline
eggs are very hardy and can survive drying out for up to 8 months
Aedes mosquito
Habitats:
Larvae and pupae are found in marshes and ground pools, some breed in man-made/artificial containers
rest outdoors or indoors before and after feeding
found world-wide
Aedes mosquito
Larvae:
emerge from mosquito eggs, but only after the water level rises to cover the eggs
siphons (tubes) are shorter than Culex
larvae rest perpendicular to water surface
Aedes mosquito
Adults:
many are marked with white & black scales
may fly short or long distances
Aedes mosquito
Eggs:
females lay 50-200 eggs
eggs are laid one at a time and float on the surface of the water
Anopheles mosquito
Habitats:
larvae are found in many different types of habitats such as fresh/salt water marshes, swamps, grassy ditches, rice fields, temporary water collections
Anopheles mosquito
Larvae:
do not have a siphon tube, instead have a paired spiracles for respiration and lay parallel to the water surface to breathe
when disturbed, larvae wiggle across the surface
collect by allowing water to slowly flow into dipper, or skimming the surface
Anopheles mosquito
Adults:
most are dawn/dusk/night feeders
use varied resting areas indoors and outdoors vegetation
Anopheles mosquito
Eggs:
are laid in a sticky compact mass, often arranged as a rosette glued to the undersurface of floating vegetation
Mansonia mosquito
Habitats:
rooted or floating vegetation in permanent water
Mansonia mosquito
Larvae:
use their siphon tubes to pierce submerged aquatic vegetation and breath e
collect by pulling up plants from permanent water
Mansonia mosquito
