Mosquitoes are the most dangerous
animals in the world, killing an estimated two to three
million people per year. In the United States alone,
there are 150 different species. Each species carries
different types of diseases and will typically breed and
feed at different times of the day. The most common
species found in the U.S. include the Aedes albopictus,
Culex pipiens and Anopheles quadrimaculatus.
Aedes albopictus is also known as the Asian
tiger mosquito and is associated with the
transmission of dengue fever, eastern equine
encephalitis and heartworm. It is native to the
continent of Asia and is fairly common
throughout the oriental region.
The Asian tiger
was most likely brought to the U.S. through
shipments of scrap tires from northern Asia. It
is a relatively small mosquito species with
distinctive white scales on its thorax and black
and white scales on its abdomen and legs.
The
Asian tiger mosquito was first discovered in
Houston, Texas in 1985 and has since spread into
866 counties in 26 states in the continental
U.S. It is an aggressive daytime biter. |
 |
| Culex pipiens
(shown right)
is also known as the northern house mosquito and
is the most common species found in urban areas.
It is recognized as the primary vector of St.
Louis encephalitis and is believed to be
primarily responsible for the transmission of
the West Nile virus to humans, birds and other
mammals. It is mostly brown in color with white
markings on its legs and mouthparts. It is a
persistent biter and prefers to attack at dusk
and after dark. Anopheles quadrimaculatus is the chief
vector of malaria in the eastern, central and
southern U.S. The Anopheles mosquito is brown
and has three long, similar-looking projections
on its head. White patches are present on the
wing-veins of many of the more dangerous
anopheline mosquitoes. It prefers to attack
after dusk and just before dawn. |
 |
|
|
|