Mosquito species

Mosquitoes are known to spread vector borne diseases such as dengue and malaria. Learn more about the lifecycles and habits of these blood-suckers that are commonly found in China.

Aedes Mosquitoes

(Aedes Aegypti)

The bites from an Aedes mosquito peak at the change of light intensity (after sunrise and before sunset).

Appearance

  • Adult has black and white markings.
  • Larval rest 45 degree from the surface of the water.
  • Egg is black in colour and shape like a rugby ball.

Life Cycle

  • Egg to adult stage takes 6 – 8 days.
  • Complete metamorphosis – egg, larval, pupa and adult.

Habits

  • Habitat – container breeder especially man-made containers with clean water.
  • Prefer darker colours like black and red.
  • Can fly short distance (50 – 100m).

Anopheles Mosquito

(Anopheles SPP.)

The Anopheles mosquito is responsible for transmitting malaria.

Appearance

  • Adult – pale and dark marks on its wings and resting 45 degree angle to the surface.
  • Larval rest parallel to surface of the water.
  • Egg is about 1mm long and has floats on its sides.

Life Cycle

  • Egg to adult stage takes 6 – 10 days.
  • Complete metamorphosis – egg, larval, pupa and adult.

Habits

  • Habitat – prefer clean and unpolluted water.
  • Biting rhythm – bite at night and rest indoor and outdoor (depends on species).
  • Prefer darker colours.
  • Female with one blood meal can lay 50 – 150 eggs.

Culex Mosquito

(Culex spp.)

Culex mosquitoes are the main vector for Japanese B – Encephalitis

Appearance

  • Adult – thorax, legs and veins on the wings are always covered with brown scales. Dull in colour. The tip of the abdomen is always blunt.
  • Larval rest 45 degree from the surface of the water.
  • Egg is brown, long and cylindrical, vertical on water surface, cemented in a raft of 300 eggs. Raft usually 3 – 4mm long and 2 – 3mm wide.

Life Cycle

  • Egg to adult stage takes 6 – 10 days.
  • Complete metamorphosis – egg, larval, pupa and adult.

Habits

  • Habitat – mainly breed in polluted stagnant water and drains.
  • Biting rhythm – bite at night and usually rest indoor before and after the blood meal. Sometimes they may rest outdoor.
  • Prefer darker colours.
  • Long distance fliers.

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