There are many species of mosquitoes, which can be found all around the world. The female species is responsible for the irritating bites we suffer from and these bites can also carry fatal diseases. Read more about the lifecycles and habits of different types of mosquitoes below.
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 and habits of the Anopheles Mosquito
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.
Yellow Fever Mosquitoes (Aedes)
(Aedes Aegypti)
Yellow fever mosquitoes (Aedes), also known as dengue mosquitoes generall bite with the change of light intensity (just after sunset or just before dawn).
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 and habits of the Aedes Mosquito
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).
Culex Mosquito
(Culex Tritaeniorhynchus)
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 and habits of the Culex Mosquito
Life Cycle
Egg to adult stage takes 6 – 10 days.
Complete metamorphosis – egg, larval, pupa and adult.
Habits
Habitat – mainly breed in paddy field, 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.