Exam Review

Mosquitoes Announcements Speakers Today: Marty Whitehouse, Laura Strasinger Speakers Next Thursday: Sarah Stephan, Chris Gibson Read Chap 14, Mosquitoes

Mosquitoes Mosquitoes are flies (Diptera, they have 2 wings) Family Culicidae Larval and pupal stages are always aquatic Wings are covered in scales Mouthparts of females are adapted for piercing and sucking blood

The Business End Palps & antennae are used to find hosts Once the mosquito lands, the outer sheath slides back, exposing the mandilbes & maxillae These form the stylets which stab the skin. Sensors on the tip of the stylets confirm capillary location Sensory Setae Human Hair Blood Capillary Sensors Lower “Lip” (labium) Palp Mandibles & Maxillae Compound Eye

There are many species of mosquitoes About 2,500 species world-wide About 150 in North America 50 – 60 in Kentucky Each species has its own biology, behavior, ecology, etc. Implications: –No single control can be expected to work for all mosquitoes –Need to understand which species that you’re facing

Five Principal Genera in Kentucky Aedes – Most anthropophillic Anopheles – Malaria mosquitoes Culex – Orniphilic, disease threats Ochlerotatus – Important invaders Psorophora – Large, painful biters The dominant species you face depends on where you are.

Northern Kentucky, 2004 Boone Fleming Campbell Grant Week No. mosquitoes Cx. Pipiens/restuans Culex spp. Aedes spp. Ochlerotatus spp. Anopheles spp. Psorophora spp.

Western Kentucky, 2004 Daviess Fulton Union Week No. mosquitoes Cx. Pipiens/restuans Culex spp. Aedes spp. Ochlerotatus spp. Anopheles spp. Psorophora spp.

Urban Kentucky, No. mosquitoes Week Fayette Jefferson Cx. Pipiens/restuans Aedes spp. Ochlerotatus spp

Aedes vs. Culex Biology Aedes/OchlerotatusCulex Primary nuisance, very numerous Primary virus vectors Attacks mammalsAttacks birds, few human bites Daytime – early eveningLate night – early morning Lays eggs singly adjacent to water Lays eggs in rafts on water surface Overwinters as eggsOverwinters as adults Daytime resting sites < 10 ft (bushes) Daytime resting sites > 10 ft (trees) Anopheles and Psorophora cross these categories

Top 10 Mosquitoes in Kentucky 5 Major Genera Aedes Anopheles Culex Ochlerotatus Psorophora Other Genera in KY: Culiseta Toxorhynchites Uranotaenia Coquillittidia Orthopodomyia Wyeomyia

#1 Aedes albopictus Asian tiger mosquito Nuisance biter, potential dengue vector Feeds evenings, mornings on humans

#2 Aedes vexans Inland flood water mosquito Nuisance biter, transmits dog heartworm, WEE/EEE Feeds at dusk

#3 Culex pipiens/restuans Northern house mosquito Most likely to transmit WNV Feeds at night on birds, humans

#4 Ochlerotatus japonicus Asian bush mosquito Currently invading state Begins biting mid-morning, lower extremities

#5 Ochlerotatus triseriatus Eastern treehole mosquito Vector of La Cross encephalitis Feeds at dusk on small mammals, humans to lesser extent

#6 Anopheles punctipennis Mottled-wing Anopheles Aggressive nuisance biter Feeds during the day/dusk in shady/forested areas

#7 Anopheles quadrimaculatus/crucians Common malaria mosquito (quadrimac.) Vector of dog heartworm Feeds during day/dusk in shady/forested areas

#8 Ochlerotatus trivittatus Three-striped mosquito Aggressive nuisance biter, especially when hot, after rain Particularly prevalent in flooded woodlands Feeds during the day, dusk

#9 Psorophora ciliata/howardii Gallinipper Ouch!! Feeds during the day, at night

#10 Culex erraticus Weak flier, feeds mostly on forest animals May feed on humans when present

Generic Mosquito Life Cycle Larvae are wigglers Pupae are tumblers (quite active) Both breath air Eggs are laid on the surface of water in rafts (Culex) or singly (Anopheles) or near water (Aedes)

Most breath atmospheric air via a siphon

Mosquito Diet Most Larvae feed on algae but a few are predaceous and feed on other mosquito larvae Only females are blood sucking Males and females feed on nectar and other plant juices

After Emergence … Day 1 – Rest on nearest available moist/shady spot. Vertical surfaces. Day 2 – Carbohydrate feeding Day 2/3 – First blood meal Next Day – First egg clutch After egg clutch, more carbohydrate & blood meals Typical adult lives 7 – 10 days