Mosquito Magnet®
What are the most common species of mosquitoes?
Here you will find general information about mosquitoes. Where they are, where they breed, the diseases they may carry, what times of the day they are out and other information. To search for a mosquito use the jump menu.
Yellow Fever Mosquito
Aedes aegyptiHabitat
Throughout the southeastern US, but excluding most of FL
Breeding Areas
Container breeders:
- Flower pots
- Gutters
- Discarded tires
Diseases They May Carry
- West Nile Virus
- Yellow fever
- Dengue in the tropics
Feeding Time
Day and Night
Additional Information
Commonly in FL, it is being out competed by Ae. albopictus
Asian Tiger Mosquito
Aedes albopictusHabitat
Found in more than 26 states throughout the S.E. & N.E. US and migrating
Breeding Areas
Container breeders:
Artificial locations
- Flower pots
- Gutters
- Discarded tires
Natural areas
- Tree holes
- Bromeliads
- Bamboo
- Inside of plant leaves
Predominant mostly inland, not along the coast
Diseases They May Carry
- West Nile Virus
- LaCrosse Encephalitis
- Dengue
- Heartworm
Feeding Time
Aggressive day biter, most active during 10 am –3 PM; rests in the shade but unlike most other mosquitoes will leave shade to bite in direct sun if there is a meal (you).
Additional Information
Over winters as egg; will enter homes. Attracted to carbon dioxide as a long-range attractant.
Inland Floodwater Mosquito
Aedes vexansHabitat
US & Southern Canada
Breeding Areas
- Temporary rain filled pools
- Pools formed by floodwater
Diseases They May Carry
- West Nile Virus
- EEE
Feeding Time
Day and Night
Additional Information
Not Available
The Quads or Common Malaria Mosquito
Anopheles quadrimaculatusHabitat
Southern US rice fields
Breeding Areas
- Reservoirs
- Swamps
- Lakes
- Rivers
Diseases They May Carry
- West Nile Virus
- Malaria
- Heartworm
Feeding Time
Night
Additional Information
Over winters as adult
House Mosquito
Culex pipiensHabitat
Northern US
Breeding Areas
Container breeders:
- Flower pots
- Gutters
- Discarded tires
Diseases They May Carry
- West Nile Virus
- St. Louis Encephalitis
Feeding Time
Not Available
Additional Information
Over winters as adult, bites birds only
Southern House Mosquito
Culex quinquefasciatusHabitat
Southern US
Breeding Areas
- stagnant & polluted water such as containers, drains, cesspits
Diseases They May Carry
- St. Louis Encephalitis
- West Nile Virus
Feeding Time
Dawn & Dusk
Additional Information
Not Available
Unbanded Salt Marsh Mosquito
Culex salinariusHabitat
- Atlantic Coast
- Gulf Coast
Breeding Areas
- Flood waters
- Fresh water
- Containers
Diseases They May Carry
- West Nile Virus
Feeding Time
Night
Additional Information
Over winter as adult, enters home
Winter Mosquito
Culiseta inornataHabitat
Throughout most of North America
Breeding Areas
- Rain pools
- Ditches
- Canals
- Duck Ponds
- Club Ponds
- Salt Marshes
- Can also survive brackish water
Diseases They May Carry
- West Nile Virus
Feeding Time
Night
Additional Information
Over winters as adult
Cedar Swamp or Black Tailed Mosquito
Culiseta melanuraHabitat
- Maine
- Southern Quebec
- South to southern FL
- West to Eastern TX
- North to the lower Great Lakes
Breeding Areas
- Swamps
Diseases They May Carry
- West Nile Virus
- EEE
Feeding Time
Bites only birds
Additional Information
Over winters as a larva
Woodland Pool Mosquito
Ochlerotatus canadensisHabitat
- Eastern US
- Central Plains
Breeding Areas
- Temporary shaded woodland
- Pools
- Ditches
Diseases They May Carry
- West Nile Virus
- Heartworm
Feeding Time
Day and Night
Additional Information
Over winters as egg
Japanese or Rockpool Mosquito
Ochlerotatus japonicusHabitat
- Eastern US
Breeding Areas
Natural and Container breeder
Diseases They May Carry
- West Nile Virus
Feeding Time
Day
Additional Information
Over winters as egg
Treehole Mosquito
Ochlerotatus TriseriatusHabitat
Widely distributed in North America
Breeding Areas
- Treeholes
- Artificial containers
Diseases They May Carry
- West Nile Virus
- LaCrosse Encephalitis
Feeding Time
Day and Night
Additional Information
Over winters as egg
Eastern Salt Marsh Mosquito
Ochlerotatus sollicitansHabitat
Eastern US
Breeding Areas
Salt marshes
Diseases They May Carry
- West Nile Virus
- Heartworm
- EEE
Feeding Time
Day and Night
Additional Information
Over winters as egg
