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Culex quinquefasciatus mosquito on a human finger.
Image by CDC/Jim Gathany - License: Public Domain. (view image details)
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Culex larvae found collecting in standing water
Image by CDC/James Gathany - License: Public Domain. (view image details)
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INSECT FACTS |
Identification
The Brown House Mosquito is a medium sized mosquito. The female is pale brown with darker brown thorax with paler markings. The male has large palps and feathery antennae, the female has smaller palps and less hairy antennae. Adult mosquitoes are active during the warmer months and usually attack people in the middle of the night indoors and outdoors. They are also attracted to birds.
Habitat
closely associated with human habitation and common in urban areas
Food
Like all mosquitoes, the female feeds on blood before producing her eggs. The Brown House Mosquito feeds on bird blood and also human blood.
Breeding
All Culex species lay their eggs in a raft, with about 300 eggs in a raft. Can breed in polluted water. Larvae are aquatic with a pair of spiracles on the second last abdominal segment used for breathing at the water surface. The larvae have tufts of bristles from many of the body segments.
Range
the Brown House Mosquito is found in all states of mainland Australia. It is less common south of central highlands in Victoria.
Notes
The Brown House Mosquito is a significant domestic pest in urban areas, and will often bite indoors. It is not a significant vector of human viruses but is an important vector of fowl pox.
Classification
| Class: | Insecta | | Order: | Diptera | | Family: | Culicidae | | Genus: | Culex | | Species: | quinquefasciatus | | Common Name: | Brown House Mosquito |
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