Mansonia Mosquito

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Common Name: Mansonia Mosquito

Latin Name: Mansonia

Common Family Name: Mosquitoes

Latin Family Name: Culicidae

Other Names:

Origin: Two species of mosquitoes in this genus are native to North America, ranging from Texas and Oklahoma to the East Coast, from Florida north to New York and Ohio. Most prevalent, though, in south Texas and in Florida.

Biology: Not considered to be of medical importance as vectors in North America, although they will readily feed on humans. The larvae are unusual in that they are able to pierce vegetation below the water surface to obtain their oxygen, and they are without the typical siphon tube of other mosquito larvae. The winter is spent in the larval stage.

Identification: These mosquitoes may be very similar to the common mosquitoes in the genus Aedes, but differ by having the last segment of the abdomen very broad, rather than distinctly narrower as it is in Aedes, and by having most of the scales on the top of the wings very broad, rather than narrow and long as they are on Aedes. They may also be distinguished from many other genera of mosquitoes by having a tuft of bristles on the body plate immediately behind the spiracle on the side of the thorax (post-spiracular bristles). The larvae are distinguished by having only a very short breathing siphon, which is toothed and has a spur designed for piercing vegetation.

Characteristics Important in Control: Dipping for larval surveillance is complicated by their method of attaching to vegetation to breathe, rather than coming to the surface. This also eliminate surface oils and films as a larval control alternative.