There are many species of mosquitoes, which can be found all around the world. The female species is responsible for the irritating bites we suffer from and these bites can also carry fatal diseases .
Read more about the appearances, lifecycles and habits of common types of mosquitoes found in Indonesia.
(Aedes Aegypti)
The bites from an Aedes mosquito peak at the change of light intensity (after sunrise and before sunset).
Appearance
Adult has black and white markings.
Larval rest 45 degree from the surface of the water.
Egg is black in colour and shape like a rugby ball.
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Life cycle
Egg to adult stage takes 6 – 8 days.
Complete metamorphosis – egg, larval, pupa and adult.
Habits
Habitat – container breeder especially man-made containers with clean water.
Prefer darker colours like black and red.
Can fly short distance (50 – 100m).
(Anopheles SPP.)
The Anopheles mosquito is responsible for transmitting malaria.
Appearance
Adult – pale and dark marks on its wings and resting 45 degree angle to the surface.
Larval rest parallel to surface of the water.
Egg is about 1mm long and has floats on its sides.
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Life cycle
Egg to adult stage takes 6 – 10 days.
Complete metamorphosis – egg, larval, pupa and adult.
Habits
Habitat – prefer clean and unpolluted water.
Biting rhythm – bite at night and rest indoor and outdoor (depends on species).
Prefer darker colours.
Female with one blood meal can lay 50 – 150 eggs.
(Culex spp.)
Culex mosquitoes are the main vector for Japanese B – Encephalitis.
Appearance
Adult – thorax, legs and veins on the wings are always covered with brown scales. Dull in colour. The tip of the abdomen is always blunt.
Larval rest 45 degree from the surface of the water.
Egg is brown, long and cylindrical, vertical on water surface, cemented in a raft of 300 eggs. Raft usually 3 – 4mm long and 2 – 3mm wide.
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Life cycle
Egg to adult stage takes 6 – 10 days.
Complete metamorphosis – egg, larval, pupa and adult.
Habits
Habitat – mainly breed in polluted stagnant water and drains.
Biting rhythm – bite at night and usually rest indoor before and after the blood meal. Sometimes they may rest outdoor.
Prefer darker colours.
Long distance fliers.