Aedes albopictus, from the mosquito (Culicidae) family, also known as the (Asian) tiger mosquito or forest mosquito, is a mosquito native to the tropical and subtropical areas of Southeast Asia. In the past few centuries, however, this species has spread to many countries through the transport of goods and international travel. It is characterized by the white bands on its legs and body.
Aedes is a genus of mosquitoes originally found in tropical and subtropical zones, but now found on all continents except Antarctica. Some species have been spread by human activity: Aedes albopictus, a particularly invasive species, was spread to the Americas, including the United States, in the 1980s, by the used-tire trade.
Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, is a mosquito that can spread dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika fever, Mayaro and yellow fever viruses, and other disease agents. The mosquito can be recognized by black and white markings on its legs and a marking in the form of a lyre on the upper surface of its thorax. This mosquito originated in Africa, but is now found in tropical, subtropical and temperate regions throughout the world.
Culiseta is a genus of mosquitoes. Most Culiseta species are cold-adapted, and only occur in warmer climates during the colder parts of the year or at higher elevations where temperatures are lower. Species found in Southern California are larger than most mosquitoes species, specifically Cs. inornata, Cs. particeps, and Cs. incidens. These species are found throughout the year in Southern California and feed on several vertebrate species, such as birds, livestock, rodents, reptiles, and humans. The larvae of most species are found bogs, marshes, ponds, streams, ditches, and rock pools, but an African species occurs in tree holes ("phytotelmata"), a common eastern Palaearctic species occurs in water wells and rock pools, and several Australian species occur under ground. Little is known about the blood-feeding habits of females. Most species feed on birds and mammals, but a few feed on reptiles. Several species attack domestic animals and occasionally humans, and some species are pollinators.
Culex restuans is a species of mosquito known to occur in Canada, the United States, Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and the Bahamas. It is a disease vector for St. Louis encephalitis and West Nile virus. In 2013 West Nile Virus positive specimens were collected in Southern California.
Mosquito-borne diseases or mosquito-borne illnesses are diseases caused by bacteria, viruses or parasites transmitted by mosquitoes. Nearly 700 million people get a mosquito-borne illness each year, resulting in over tens million deaths.. The devastation is almost equivalent to the entire 3 year COVID-19 global pandemic.. At 700 million illnesses, if a family of 4 contracted a mosquito disease, it would mean 2.8 billion affected people, or one-third of humanity.
Culex tarsalis, also known as Western Encephalitis Mosquito, is a mosquito species that appears in southern California. The species has black and white banding on the legs.
Culex quinquefasciatus, commonly known as the southern house mosquito, is a medium-sized mosquito found in tropical and subtropical regions of the world. It is a vector of Wuchereria bancrofti, avian malaria, and arboviruses including St. Louis encephalitis virus, Western equine encephalitis virus, Zika virus and West Nile virus. It is taxonomically regarded as a member of the Culex pipiens species complex. Its genome was sequenced in 2010, and was shown to have 18,883 protein-coding genes.
A lethal ovitrap is a device which attracts gravid female container-breeding mosquitoes and kills them. The traps halt the insect's life cycle by killing adult insects and stopping reproduction. The original use of ovitraps was to monitor the spread and density of Aedes and other container-breeding mosquito populations by collecting eggs which could be counted, or hatched to identify the types of insects. Since its conception, researchers found that adding lethal substances to the ovitraps could control the populations of these targeted species. These traps are called lethal ovitraps. They primarily target Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus mosquitoes, which are the main vectors of dengue fever, Zika virus, west Nile virus, yellow fever, and chikungunya.
Culex erythrothorax is a species of mosquito that appears in Southern California. It is also known as the tule mosquito due to its preference for breeding in tule plants. The species has a brownish-orange color. It is a confirmed vector of West Nile virus.
Aedes africanus is a species of mosquito that is found on the continent of Africa with the exclusion of Madagascar. Aedes aegypti and Aedes africanus are the two main yellow fever vector species in Zambia. Aedes africanus is mainly found in tropical forests not near wetlands.
Aedes vittatus is a species of mosquito that was first described in 1861 as Culex vittatus from specimens collected on Corsica. In 2000, the species was transferred to the newly erected subgenus Fredwardsius as the type species representing the subgenus.
Culiseta incidens, the cool weather mosquito, is a species of mosquito in the family Culicidae. Specimens have been collected in Southern California.
Culiseta inornata, the winter marsh mosquito, or the unadorned American cool weather mosquito is a species of mosquito in the family Culicidae. This species is found in southern California.
Anopheles franciscanus is a species of mosquito in the family Culicidae. This species has been collected in southern California.
Culex stigmatosoma is a mosquito species that appears in Southern California, Oregon, and Texas. It is a confirmed vector of West Nile virus.
Culex thriambus is a mosquito species that appears in the southwestern United States, including Southern California, Texas, as well as in Mexico. It is a confirmed vector of West Nile virus. The majority of host species the mosquito takes blood from are in the order Passeriformes.
Culiseta particeps is a species of mosquito in the family Culicidae. It is found along the West coast of the United States including Southern California, Arizona as well as Mexico and Guatemala. Cs. particeps is not a known vector of human pathogens.
Anopheles hermsi is a species of mosquito in the family Culicidae. It is a known vector of Plasmodium vivax malaria. An. hermsi have been collected in Southern California.
Aedes circumluteolus is a species of mosquito that is found throughout much of Sub-Saharan Africa. It is often found in tropical coastal lowlands and Bushveld savanna.
