Know Your Enemy - The Mosquito
The mosquito is the world's deadliest animal. There are approximately 2,700 different species of mosquitos throughout the world, and the United States is home to 150 varieties. Species will vary in appearance, location, feeding habits, and in their threat to humans. The following mosquitos are the most common species found in the United States and Canada:
Anopheles quadrimaculatus:
It is the chief carrier of malaria in the eastern, central and southern United States.
It is brown and has three long projections on its head. There are white patches on the wing-veins of many of the more dangerous anopheline mosquitos. It is active after dusk and just before dawn.
The above most common mosquito species are found throughout North America. There are countless numbers of species that are specific to certain states and locations throughout the country as well.
Aedes:
Aedes is a genus of mosquito originally found in subtropical and tropical regions, but now are found on all continents except Antartica. Aedes albopictus, a most invasive species was recently spread to the United States by the used-tire trade. Some of hte species of this genus transmit serious disease including dengue fever, yellow fever, Zika virus and chikungunya.
Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, is a mosquito that can spred dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika and yellow fever. The mosquito can be recognized by white marketings on its legs and markings in the form of a lyre on the upper surface of its throat.
Aedes albopictus (stegmomua albopicta), from the mosquito Culicidae family - also known as the Asian tiger or forest mosquito - is the mosquito native to subtropical areas of Southeast Asia. It is characterized by its black-and-white-striped legs, and small black-and-white-striped body.
Culex pipiens:
Also known as the northern house mosquito, it is the most common species found in urban areas. It is believed to the primary culprit for the transmission of the West Nile virus to humans, birds and other mammals.
It is brown and has white markings on its legs and mouth parts. It prefers to attack at dusk and after dark. (Photo: http://www.usgs.gov/images/west_nile_virus/a0694.jpg)
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