About

General Info

Search Tips

Harmful or Not

Harmful Effects

Common FAQs

Similar Insects

Popular Insects

Home > North american malaria mosquito

Photo By drnancyjackson , used under CC-BY-4.0 /Cropped and compressed from original

North american malaria mosquito

Anopheles quadrimaculatus

A species of Marsh mosquitoes, Also known as Malaria mosquito

Anopheles (/əˈnɒfɪliːz/) is a genus of mosquito first described and named by J. W. Meigen in 1818. About 460 species are recognised; while over 100 can transmit human malaria, only 30–40 commonly transmit parasites of the genus Plasmodium, which cause malaria in humans in endemic areas. Anopheles gambiae is one of the best known, because of its predominant role in the transmission of the most dangerous malaria parasite species (to humans) – Plasmodium falciparum. The name comes from the Ancient Greek word ἀνωφελής anōphelḗs 'useless', derived from ἀν- an-, 'not', 'un-' and ὄφελος óphelos 'profit'. Mosquitoes in other genera (Aedes, Culex, Culiseta, Haemagogus, and Ochlerotatus) can also serve as vectors of disease agents, but not human malaria.

Bite Humans

Pathogenic

General Info About North american malaria mosquito

Instantly identify insects with a snap

Snap a photo for instant insect ID and risk assessment, gaining quick insights on bite assessment, toxicity, pest control, behavior, habitat, and safe interaction tips, etc.

Download the App for Free

Attributes of North american malaria mosquito

Colors

Black

Bronze

Habitat

Although malaria is nowadays limited to tropical areas, most notoriously the regions of sub-Saharan Africa, many Anopheles species live in colder latitudes (see this map from the CDC). Indeed, malaria outbreaks have, in the past, occurred in colder climates, for example during the construction of the Rideau Canal in Canada during the 1820s. Since then, the Plasmodium parasite (not the Anopheles mosquito) has been eliminated from first world countries. The CDC warns, however, that "Anopheles that can transmit malaria are found not only in malaria-endemic areas, but also in areas where malaria has been eliminated. The latter areas are thus constantly at risk of reintroduction of the disease.

Adult Food Sources

Nectar, plant sap, honeydew, blood from vertebrate hosts

Larva Food Source

Micro-algae, bacterial flora, detritus, small organic particles, zooplankton

Biting/stinging

The North american malaria mosquito may bite humans actively. Please stay away from it.

Borer

Not reported

Pollinator

Not reported

Pest-Eating Predatory

Not reported

Phytophagous

Not reported

Predatory

Not reported

Biting animal or pet

Not reported

Mouthparts Type

Piercing-sucking mouthparts

AI entomologist in your pocket, scan QR code to download

Species Status of North american malaria mosquito

Common

Predators of North american malaria mosquito Larvae

Fish, aquatic invertebrates, tadpoles, birds, dragonfly nymphs

Predators of Adult North american malaria mosquito

Birds, bats, spiders, insectivorous insects, frogs

Interesting Facts About North american malaria mosquito

North american malaria mosquito can survive winter as larvae frozen in ice, resuming activity when the ice melts.

Scientific Classification of North american malaria mosquito

Phylum

Class

Order

Family

Genus

Tips for Finding North american malaria mosquito

Your ultimate guide to understanding insects

Unlock the secrets of insect life cycles, habitats, behaviors and observation tips!!

Download the App for Free

Youth Habitat of North american malaria mosquito

Freshwater Habitats

Habitat Preferences of North american malaria mosquito Through Different Life Stages

Eggs of north american malaria mosquito are typically laid on the surface of stagnant or slow-moving water, often in shaded areas like marshes or grass-fringed pools. Larvae require aquatic habitats and can be found hanging beneath the water surface, in places like ditches, temporary pools, or rice fields, flourishing in clean, unpolluted water. Pupae, also aquatic, are found in the same environments as larvae. Adults of north american malaria mosquito tend to reside in dark, humid locations such as barns, hollow trees, or under leaves during the day, emerging at dusk to feed. To find these stages, search for larval habitats near adult resting sites.

When is the Best Time to Observe North american malaria mosquito

The best time to find adult north american malaria mosquito is typically during the dusk and dawn when they are most active. For larval stages, any time of day is suitable as long as they are present in the breeding waters.

What is the Best Weather to Observe North american malaria mosquito

Warm and humid weather provides optimal conditions for finding north american malaria mosquito at various stages of their lifecycle, as it supports their development and activity.

How and Where Can You Find North american malaria mosquito at Different Life Stages

Egg North american malaria mosquito eggs are laid on the surface of water. To find them, examine still water pools or standing water in containers, as females typically select these areas for oviposition.

Larva North american malaria mosquito larvae live in water until they develop into pupae. Look for them in calm or stagnant water bodies by using a dipper to collect a sample and observe it for the presence of wriggling larvae.

Pupal North american malaria mosquito pupae, known as tumblers, are also aquatic like the larvae. They can be found in the same type of water bodies but tend to stay closer to the water surface. Skim the surface with a net or cup to collect them.

Adult Finding adult north american malaria mosquito requires different strategies. Since north american malaria mosquito are attracted to carbon dioxide and body heat, using a light trap with a carbon dioxide emitter at dusk or dawn when they are searching for blood meals can be effective. Alternatively, you can conduct a resting collection by searching for them on the walls of buildings or vegetation during the day when they are less active.

Are North american malaria mosquito harmful?

Your Complete Pest Control Guide

Discover effective tips for preventing and eliminating pest infestations to keep bugs away from your home.

Download the App for Free

Are North american malaria mosquito harmful to humans?

Routine reaction. The bitten skin is red swelling and itching. This symptom may automatically disappear within a few hours or days depending on the mosquito species and the victim's body type. It is advised to apply antiphlogistic and antipruritic products such as peppermint cream.

Serious allergic reaction. Mosquito bites are very unlikely to cause large areas of swelling, soreness, redness, low fever, urticaria, and Lymphadenopathy. These serious reactions are prone to occur in children and people with immune system diseases.

Secondary injury. Scratching the bite may cause wound infection.

Some mosquitoes can spread disease and parasites.

In general, common mosquitoes do not cause much harm through bites. They only cause skin scratch and rash. However, a few species of mosquitoes are vectors for many serious diseases.

They transmit viruses from one host to the next through bloodsucking. A variety of arbovirus diseases such as dengue fever, yellow fever, and malaria can spread rapidly in this way.

Additionally, their impact is huge. Every year about 700 million people are infected with mosquito bites, and about 700,000 of them will die as a result. So rated by the Mosquito Control Association, the mosquito is one of the most dangerous insects in the world.

Neither every type of mosquitoes nor vector mosquitoes can definitely transmit the virus. Only certain types of mosquitoes that already have a specific type of viruses in the body can transmit the virus.

If the virus is ingested by non-vector mosquitoes, it will be destroyed by the digestive system and become too inactivated to spread.

Only when female vector mosquitoes suck the blood of an already infected person, the pathogen can enter the mosquitoes and multiply inside them. Then the viruses can be spread to the next susceptible host through the mosquitoes.

Female mosquitoes can also pass viruses to their offspring. After the offspring are mature, they can spread directly in the unaffected host

What is the most effective prevention against North american malaria mosquito?

Avoid periods when mosquitoes are active. Dusk to dawn is the most active period for mosquitoes. Outdoor activities should be avoided or reduced at this time. If it is necessary to be outdoors, please do protection works.

Choice of clothes for going out

Light-colored clothing
Long sleeves and trousers
Thick socks or fully covered shoes
Hats (with gauze) that protect ears and neck

Use insect repellent. Insect repellent containing DEET or Icaridin or lemon eucalyptus oil (vegetable compounds) can temporarily repel mosquitoes. Among them, DEET has the longest-lasting effect.

Please read the instructions carefully and follow them strictly.
Keep away from food when using the product.
Avoid being mistakenly consumed by your baby.
Avoid mixing mosquito repellent products with other chemical products to prevent unnecessary chemical reactions occurring.
After using the same mosquito repellent spray for 1-2 months continuously, please switch to other brands of it for better effects.

Other considerations

Repair broken windows and doors in houses and camping tents.

Use mosquito nets in strollers and cribs.

If necessary, you can consider installing a physical mosquito repellent lamp in the courtyard. It is beautiful and efficient but with certain risks. Families with young children need to pay special attention to the installation location.

Bring pets to the veterinary clinic for regular physical examinations to detect the presence of cardiac filariasis.

How to get rid of North american malaria mosquito?

Reduce mosquitoes in your home

Eliminate the stagnant water that mosquitoes need to reproduce. Do not place used tires, bowls, cups, and other items in the yard that may store water.
If there are empty flower pots, please place them in a place where water will not accumulate or invert them.
If there is no special need, drain the pool in the courtyard.
If you need to keep water in the pool, you can feed the ornamental fish which can eat a lot of mosquito larvae and increase appreciation.
Drain roofs and courtyards frequently.
Empty the pool at least once a week, as often as possible.
The hydroponic plants in your home should be changed in time.

Homemade simple traps

Wine bottle trap. Place the unfinished beer or empty bottle filled with sugar water in a cool corner. It will attract mosquitoes and stick to drowning.

Basin detergent trap. At night, put a water basin in front of the window and mix it well with detergent. The next morning, there will be dead mosquitoes in the water basin. If you stick to this method for some time, the number of mosquitoes in your home will decrease.

Taking anti-allergic drugs. If you have ever had serious adverse reactions to mosquito bites, when you know that you may go to an environment filled with mosquitoes and inevitably get bitten, please consider taking anti-allergic drugs in advance under the guidance of a doctor. Also, do Good physical anti-mosquito preparation.

Seek medical attention immediately if you experience fever, headache, body pain and infection after bitten by mosquitoes.

Pet cats and dogs should be treated with medicine under the guidance of a professional veterinarian. In the following at least one month, animals must be restricted from intense exercise to avoid excitement. The reason is that after the drug kills the adult worms, it may block some of the pulmonary blood vessels. Therefore intense exercise will cause breathing difficulties for pets. After 6 months of treatment, please reexamine to check if the worms have been completely removed.

Tips and tricks

Eat more garlic. If you can accept and eat garlic, not only that it is good for your health, but also the smell of garlic can keep the mosquitoes away from you.

Use garlic juice. The garlic can be mashed, and the juice can be applied to doors and windows to repel mosquitoes.

Use orange lights. Replace the white light with an orange light in your house. You can also wrap the bulb with orange cellophane or silk cloth to drive away mosquitoes.

Increase intake of vitamin B family. More intake of foods rich in vitamin B family can reduce the attraction of mosquitoes.

Fumigation indoor. Don't discard the orange peel after eating. Dry and light the peel for fumigation, it can get rid of insects and odor. This works the same as wormwood as well.

Grow special plants. Mosquitoes stay away from plants such as mint, lavender, onion, tomato, lemongrass, geranium, tuberose, garlic. It is advised to plant these items around the house.

Harmful Effects of North american malaria mosquito

Reveal the harmful impacts of diverse insects

Explore the dangers of insects related to toxicity, lethality, human biting, human stinging, pathogenicity, hematophagy, allergenicity, parasitism, etc.

Download the App for Free

Bite Humans

Pathogenic

Bite Humans

North american malaria mosquito females bite humans primarily to obtain blood meals needed for egg development. They use specialized mouthparts to pierce skin and access blood vessels. Bites typically occur from dusk to dawn, leading to immediate itchiness and potential disease transmission, such as malaria.

Cause Disease in Animals

North american malaria mosquito is a vector that transmits malaria, primarily affecting humans but capable of affecting other vertebrates. The adult stage is responsible for disease transmission. The risk posed by the diseases north american malaria mosquito can spread is severe, as malaria can be fatal if not treated promptly. North american malaria mosquito's role in disease spread is linked to its feeding habits, where it requires blood for egg production, inadvertently transmitting pathogens.

More Effects of North american malaria mosquito