Different Types of Mosquitoes - MosquitoNix®
What are the different types of Mosquitoes?
How Many Different Types of Mosquitoes Are There?
How many different types of mosquitoes are there on the planet? The short answer to that question is an overwhelming amount. There are around 3,500 mosquito species spread across the planet. And while that number is rather large, there are three main genera (the plural of genus) of disease-transmitting mosquitoes that we have to pay close attention to in the United States and North America.
Here's a rundown of some of the most common types of dangerous mosquitoes affecting different regions across the U.S.:
Aedes Mosquitoes
Aedes is an invasive genus of mosquitoes and a big problem in the United States. This taxonomical category includes Aedes aegypt, Aedes albopictus and Aedes notoscriptus.
- Aedes aegypt, aka "the yellow fever mosquito" is found in southern regions but increasing their territory. These pests are vectors for dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever and Zika. Females (the "biters") can be identified by their silver or white scales, plus a pair of white bands on their thorax.
- Aedes albopictus is another mosquito with stripes (a single white stripe down the center of its thorax). These flying insects can transmit yellow fever, dengue and West Nile to people. Known as the Asian Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus is robust, even though it prefers warmer climates, and can be found in many American states.
- Aedes notoscriptus is an invasive species with lineages going back to Australia and New Zealand. Dengue, chikungunya and Zika are some of the pathogens they are known to carry. They are also active and tend to bite during the day — whereas other species tend to come out at dusk and night.
Anopheles Mosquitoes
The Anopheles genus of mosquitoes are vectors of malaria. And malaria is no joke, claiming more than 400,000 live worldwide per year on average. Anopheles marsh mosquitoes can be identified by their dark brown or black color, as well as the slanted upward angle their body points at when sitting at rest. According to the CDC, "Most of the continental United States has Anopheles mosquitoes… which can spread malaria.” And while this disease is not a major problem in the U.S. yet, with only around 2,000 cases per year out of a global tally of around 229 million estimated cases, health officials remain vigilant to its threat.
Culex Mosquitoes
Culex mosquitoes, or the common house mosquito, plague human beings. That little pest that buzzes around your ears just before or after it bites you? That's the Culex house mosquito. These widespread airborne bugs can bite you inside or outside. They are typically active at night and thrive around standing stagnant water.
Culex pipiens, the common house mosquito, and Culex quinquefasciatus, the southern house mosquito, are the main culprits that will hunt you down — usually when you're trying to relax or sleep. Most species prefer bird blood, but some do feed on humans. These pests can transmit viruses like West Nile and Japanese encephalitis.
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