| Name: |
Mosquito (Eastern Malaria Carrier) |
| AKA: |
Driller, Spike |
| Scientific Name: |
Anopheles quadrimaculatus |
| Description: |
1/4 - 3/8 inch; long slender abdomen; dull yellowish
brown with uniform whitish bands at the base of the abdominal segments.
They are long legged and have two wings. Tiny scales are present over
the body, wings and legs. The males have a furry or brushlike antennae
which is used to attract the female for mating. He beats the antennae
at a certain frequency and the females are attracted to this sound.
* Note: See the Zoom-In page of this web site for more fascinating
images of the mosquito. |
| Diet: |
The female mosquito feeds on blood she draws through
her sharp tipped proboscis after piercing the skin of a victim. Only
the female "bites". The protein in the blood helps the maturation
of her eggs. Males feed on nectar and other plant juices. The larval
stage, which is aquatic (lives in water), feeds on microorganisms
and other organic debris. |
| Habitat: |
Near a source of moisture or body of water. The female
lays her eggs on or near the standing water and the larvae develop
in it. During the day this species rests in a cool dark place. At
dusk it emerges to look for a meal. Other species feed in the daytime.
|
| Wanted For: |
Biting and leaving an itchy raised bump This skin reaction
is your immune system trying to repair the damage the mosquito has
done by piercing your skin. Mosquitoes inject their saliva which contains
an anticoagulant. Blood is able to flow freely and is sucked up the
proboscis. Mosquitoes can transmit diseases through their saliva.
This species can transmit encephalitis and is the major carrier of
dog heart worm in Hawaii. Other species are wanted for carrying diseases
such as yellow fever, dengue fever and malaria. |
| Last Known Location: |
Behind your knees, ankles, elbows and neck. |
 |
