The United States is host to 150 of the 3,000 documented mosquito species. Though there are similarities, each of these 150 has their own appearance, habitat and habits. All species of mosquitoes have slender bodies with long legs and are equipped with a pair of scaled wings and a pair of halteres. The size of mosquitoes varies, but most are smaller than 15 mm in length and weigh less than 2.5 mg. Though they might seem fragile, they are extremely resilient insects.
Mosquitoes Confused as Crane Flies
Sometimes mosquitoes are confused with crane flies, because they appear like gigantic mosquitoes. People often incorrectly refer to them as male mosquitoes. The females do not draw blood. In fact they do not really cause humans any harm, except for being nuisance, and in actuality, they belong to a separate group of related insects.
Mosquitoes Confused as Midges
Another group that gets confused as being mosquitoes are midges. They often appear in massive numbers on buildings. Though certain midges bites, they do not feed on blood. You can distinguish between mosquitoes and midges by looking for the presence of scales on bodies and wings. The presence of these scales indicates you are viewing a mosquito.
Asian Tiger Mosquitos
Asian tiger mosquitoes (Aedes albopictus) are also referred to as forest day mosquitoes. Thought they are native to Southeast Asia, they have spread across the globe because of their ability to thrive in a wide variety of environments and conditions. They are faster moving and more aggressive than other species and are the known carriers of yellow fever and dengue fever.
The body and legs of the Asian tiger mosquito are black and white and they measure approximately 5 mm in length. Unlike most mosquito breeds, these are most active during the day and require very little water to breed. Like other species, the males feed on nectar, while the female uses her elongated proboscis to extract blood for the development of eggs. These mosquitoes also lay their eggs in water sources. Eliminating water sources by cleaning out ditches and water containers such as birdbaths may help to control their population.
Scottsdale Termite Professionals
Contact Info:
Termite Control Arizona
6501 East Greenway Parkway #103
Scottsdale AZ
(480) 582-1085
