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Facts About Mosquitoes1. All mosquitoes must have water in which to complete their lifecycle. 2. Only seven days are required to complete their life cycle (egg to adult) during warm weather. 3. Mosquitoes do not develop in grass or shrubbery, although flying adults frequently rest in these areas during daylight hour. 4. Only the female mosquito bites to obtain a blood meal. The mail mosquito feeds only on plant juices. 5. The female mosquito may live as long as three weeks during the summer or many months over the winter in order to lay here eggs the following spring. |
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The Mosquito LifestyleEggs: Different species of mosquitoes deposit their eggs in specific habitats. These eggs are deposited either singly in moist soil or in the form of rafts on the water surface.These eggs are usually laid in groupls ranging between 100 and 400 eggs. Within a few days the eggs hatch into larvae.
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Larva: The larva comes to the surface to breathe through a tube called a siphon. It sheds its skin four times durin ght enext several days. Mosquitoes are called intars between these molts (1-4 instars). On the fourth molt it changes into a pupa.
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Pupa: The pupa of the mosquito is similar to the cocoon or chrysalis of a butterfly. The pupa cannot eat. It breathes through two tubes on its back. The adult mosquito develops inside the pupal case. In two days or so, when it is fully developed, it splits the pupal skin and emerges as an adult.
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Adult: The newly emerged adult rests on the water surface until it is strong enough to fly away and feed.
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Mosquito-Borne DiseaseSeveral species of mosquitoes in Massachusetts are capable of transmitting disease causing organisms under the right conditions. When a female mosquito takes an animal blood meal, which she uses as nourishment for developing eggs, she may transmit certain disease-causing organisms to humans and other animals. These organisms are taken with blood from infected birds and other animals. The mosquito completes the cycle when she bites the next susceptible host, causing infection. The three mosquito-borne diseases transmitted by mosquitoes in Massachusetts are Dog Heartworm, Eastern Equine Encephalitis, and West Nile Virus. Dog HeartwormDog Heartworm is caused by infection of a canine by the nematode or roundworm Dirofilaria immittis. The adult worms live in the heart of canines and produce many offspring. In order to complete their lifecycle, immature worms must be ingested by a mosquito. The worms then mature in the mosquito. An infected mosquito will then take a blood meal from an uninfected canine and infect that canine with the nematodes. It is unknown how often dogs are exposed to this disease in Massachusetts. The nematode that causes this disease has been detected in mosquitoes on Cape Cod. The mosquito season in this state is very short and does not allow much time for this nematode to complete its life cycle. Dog Heartworm is more common in canines in warmer regions. There is preventive medicine that can be administered to your pet. This should be discussed with your veterinarian. Eastern Equine EncephalitisThis disease is the most important mosquito-borne disease in Massachusetts. Eastern Equine Encephalitis is a viral disease. Wild birds serve as the reservoir for the virus. The virus infects both humans and horses. Horse breeders in many states vaccinate their animals to prevent losses. Although Eastern Equine Encephalitis infections are not common, it can have very serious results. Eastern Equine Encephalitis virus has not been detected in mosquitoes on Cape Cod, but has been found in mosquitoes in surrounding counties. Control of mosquitoes that are capable of carrying this virus, as well as monitoring mosquito populations for the presence of this virus, help to prevent outbreaks in Massachusetts. West Nile VirusWest Nile Virus was first found in North America in a 1999 outbreak that occurred in New York City. In the summer of 2000, the virus was detected in birds from New Hampshire through Deleware. This disease is like Eastern Encephalitis in that wild birds serve as the reservoir for the virus. Crows and related species such as blue jays were submitted for testing last summer and twenty three of these birds tested positive for West Nile Virus. The species of mosquitoes that carry this disease lay their eggs and develop in standing water in man-made containers. Therefore, the best control for this species is to check the area around your house and make sure that there are no containers holding water. If you find a dead bird you would like submitted for testing please call your local board of health or click >here< for more information on who to contact.. The Cape Cod Mosquito Control will continue to monitor for this disease in the mosquito population and work to control the mosquitoes that are capable of carrying this disease. |
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Where To Look and What to DoOrnamental PondsAdd goldfish for looks and mosquito control. Avoid spraying with garden insect sprays. Remove leaves and thin out lilies. Keep water level up. Screen inlet of recirculation pump. Chlorine kills fish - transfer fish to glass bowl when cleaning pond. If pond is no longer desired, break holes in bottom and fill with dirt or sand. Concrete or Plastic Swimming PoolsOperate filter and skimmer everyday to remove egg rafts and larvae. Provide drainage for filter and pump sumps. Chlorine will not kill mosquito larvae. If pool cover is used, keep it tightly sealed. Remove rainwater from top of pool cover. BoatsPrevent accumulation of bilge water. Store small boats upside down or cover to keep out the rain and water from sprinklers. Other Kinds of ContainersRemove and dispose of all unused containers that will collect rain or water from sprinklers.
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Insects That Resemble Mosquitoes |
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MosquitoCharacteristics:
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mosquito |
Chironomid MidgeCharacteristics:
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midge |
Crane FlyCharacteristics:
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crane fly |
