Facts You Should Know About Mosquitoes
Those pesky mosquitoes! We usually don’t even realize when we have been bitten until after it has already occurred. The problem is that we are not supposed to scratch the bite but this is always easier said than done. Unless you put some type of ointment on the bite, it is unlikely that you will not scratch for the relief that you need. There are approximately 41 genera of mosquitoes.
Anopheles mosquitoes are one of them. There are approximately 430 species of mosquitoes. Many people don’t know this but there is one country that doesn’t have Anopheles mosquitoes and this is Antarctica. During their development, they go through four stages; egg, larva, pupa, and adult. During the winter months, the egg, larval and pupa stages occur. The adult stage is when they are able to start flying and move around to other places.
The female adult mosquito can lay up to 200 eggs at a time. They lay their eggs individually and they float on the surface of the water. This is different for many other mosquitoes who lay egg rafts (in groups). The egg is able to hatch in 3 days of being laid but this could take longer in colder temperatures.
Larvae gets air from special organs on their body; they must come to the surface of the water in order to breath through their respiratory trumpets. After at least 3 days; sometimes 2, the pupa stage is done and an adult will come forth.
The adult male Anopheles gets their food from the nectar of plants and other sugar sources. The adult female will also eat sugars but they have to also get a blood meal so their eggs will develop fully. Upon getting a blood meal, the female will wait to digest the blood so that the eggs can develop fully. Eventually, she will lay her eggs on the water and start over again by finding another blood meal.
Although the Anopheles mosquitoes appear to look similar to other types of mosquitoes, there are some distinct differences. One, the Anopheles mosquitoes have a pair of mouthparts, which are the same length of the proboscis. Two, the female will lay its eggs on the surface of the water. Third, the larvae will position their body parallel to the surface of the water in order to breath. Finally, the female adults will positions itself at roughly a 45-degree angle on the skin of its hosts when obtaining their blood meal.
When you think about it though, how many of us are going to think that deeply when we are being bitten by mosquitoes. Unlikely not many of us. However, if it is a part of your business, you just might think about. You may also consider the type of mosquitoes you are being bitten by if you live in an area where mosquito bites can be deadly.
The Anopheles Mosquitoes Are Vectors of Malaria
If you live in a region where malaria is known to exist, it is likely that you will take necessary precautions to make sure you’re not being bitten by them. Malaria is usually found in undeveloped tropical and subtropical areas in the world. The ones that suffer the most from malaria are children because their immune systems have not fully developed.
Other diseases that can be transmitted by Anopheles mosquitoes are filariasis and arboviral diseases. Malaria isn’t often something that is known to exist in the United States. When it is reported it is usually due to someone who has traveled to an area where malaria exists. Malaria can re-emerge in the United States so don’t get too comfortable.
Call Bronx County Pest Control if you have a mosquito infestation in your properties!
