Order: Diptera / Family: Culicidae

Mosquitoes

There are more than 2,500 species of mosquitoes in the world, over 50 can be found in California. 

Only a handful of species found locally are capable of transmitting diseases to humans. 

Mosquitoes need standing water to lay eggs.

mosquito
mosquito icon

Mosquitoes in the District

WNV: West Nile Virus | SLE: St. Louis Encephalitis | WEE: Western Equine Encephalomyelitis

Western Encephalitis

Species
Culex tarsalis

Breeding Habitat
Agricultural, natural or man-made sources

Public Health Importance
Primary vector of WNV, SLE, WEE

Banded Foul Water

Mosquito Species
Culex stigmatosoma

Breeding Habitat
Foul or polluted water (natural and man-made sources)

Public Health Importance
May act as enzootic amplifiers of SLE and WNV in nature

Asian Tiger

Mosquito Species
Aedes albopictus

Breeding Habitat
Containers (vases, flower saucers, tires) and plants (lucky bamboo, bromeliads)

Public Health Importance
Zika virus, dengue fever, yellow fever, chikungunya vector

Southern House

Mosquito Species
Culex quinquefasciatus

Breeding Habitat
Foul or polluted water (natural and man-made sources)

Public Health Importance
WNV, SLE, WEE

Cool Weather

Mosquito Species
Culiseta incidens

Breeding Habitat
Shaded clear water (natural and man-made sources

Public Health Importance
Not known to transmit disease in California

Yellow Fever

Mosquito Species
Aedes aegypti

Breeding Habitat
Indoor/outdoor containers (vases, saucers, tires) and plants (lucky bamboo, bromeliads)

Public Health Importance
Zika virus, dengue fever, yellow fever, and chikungunya vector

Tule or Cattail

Mosquito Species
Culex erythrothorax

Breeding Habitat
Marshes, lakes, ponds with tules and cattails

Public Health Importance
WNV vector (feeds mainly on birds)

Large Winter

Mosquito Species
Culiseta inornata

Breeding Habitat
Sunlit or shaded sources

Public Health Importance
Not known to transmit disease in Califorina

Australian Backyard

Mosquito Species
Aedes notoscriptus

Breeding Habitat
Natural and man-made containers

Public Health Importance
Canine heartworm vector

mosquito life cycle

Mosquito Life Cycle

Mosquitoes can grow from egg to adult in 7 days.

Breeding habitats range from stagnant, polluted water to bright, sunlit bodies of water, to small containers such as indoor/outdoor vases and containers.

Invasive Aedes species lay eggs individually at the water line of natural and artificial containers. 

mosquito eggs

Egg

Laid in clusters called rafts, which float on the surface of standing water.

Eggs hatch within days after contact with water.

mosquito larva

Larva

Develop in standing water; most species surface to breathe air.

Molts several times and feeds on organic matter.

mosquito pupa

Pupa

The pupal stage is a resting, non-feeding stage.

May move to protective areas in order to continue development into an adult.

mosquito adult

Adult

Rests on the surface until strong enough to fly, mate, and feed.

Only the females bite to obtain food.