Mosquitos

As per the stats, Australia has witnessed a rapid growth in mosquito-borne diseases in past few years. With almost 2000+ cases reported for mosquito infected diseases a few years back, Australia has seen an immense setback with the attack of these bloodsuckers. The alarming stats and the climatic changes highlight the urgent need for pest control for mosquitoes in your households as well as the surrounding.

These tiny buzzing insects can transmit various diseases that include – Ross River, Barmah Forest, and Murray Valley encephalitis viruses. They are also well-known for spreading dengue, chikungunya, malaria, and Zika infections. This specie of mosquitoes can infect a person with severe viruses that can prove to be dangerous. These infections have resulted in claiming a hundred and thousands of lives, creating a strong impact every time.

AUSTRALIA, HOWEVER, HAS A FEW SPECIES THAT CAN CARRY INFECTIONS FROM ONE PERSON TO THE OTHER. AMONG THEM ALL, HERE ARE 5 OF THE MOST COMMON MOSQUITOES FOUND IN AUSTRALIA.

AEDES AEGYPTI

Often found in Queensland, Australia, this specie of mosquito is renowned for spreading dengue viruses. Also known as a major nuisance biter, this mosquito has a long spike and lower body with spikes (bushes) all over its antenna and head.

They have conspicuous white marking and banded legs. It has black proboscis with hind legs and scaled wings. The two central stripes on the body of these mosquitoes contrast with the covering of the narrow dark scales.

This specie of mosquito prefers biting around in shaded areas during the daytime, with some night duty to perform occasionally.

AEDES CAMPTORHYNCHUS

A commonly collectible species, Aedes Camptorhynchus are medium-sized mosquitoes with a darkish appearance and banded legs. They have extensively mottled proboscis and an abstract scutum with narrow golden scales.

The female mosquito had dark scaled wings with hind legs with median black patches. The species are often found in areas but can also occur in inland riverine areas with brackish influence. The human biter can transmit some serious diseases like Ross River, Murray Valley encephalitis virus.

The bloodsuckers are amongst the most dangerous species, attacking human, animals, and even birds throughout the day. These bloodsuckers do not feed at a particular time, feasting blood at any hour of the day.

AEDES ALTERNANS

These species include large-sized mosquitoes with a shaggy appearance. They have scales with mixtures of different colors like white, cream, orange, and brown.

They have palps up to 2/3 length of proboscis – darker at the tip and base and pale at the mid-section. The adult females are popularly known as the biters of humans and animals – feeding their blood day and night. These mosquitoes are large as compared to the others, which makes them noticeable.

This pest often carries Ross River disease and other dangerous diseases that can be threatening to human lives.

AEDES VIGILAX

The mid-sized mosquitoes, these species are amongst the vicious biters of human and animal blood – all day. These pests often appear in the summertime or autumn season, spreading the viruses like Murray Valley encephalitis and river ross.

These mosquitoes have a dark appearance with banded legs. They have proboscis with pale scaling on the basal. Their scutum has dark bronze and golden scales that make them look different than other species. They have hind legs with femur and tibia mottled and sub-apical patches.

They can disperse up to 100 km from their breeding habitat and move in bunches. These mosquitoes are mostly found in the western parts of Australia.

AEDES THEOBALDI

These are mid-sized mosquito species that carry vicious viruses like Murray Valley encephalitis virus and Ross River with them. These mosquitoes can disperse up to 100s kilometers with a large population of the larva. They often flow the rains and are attracted to places with water blockage and containment.

They also have a mottled dark appearance with dark scale proboscis with a pale area on the underside. Its scutum is covered with golden and dark narrow scales. The wings are covered with extensive mottling of broad pale scales.

This specie is active in the spring season and finds its home in places with natural flooding or irrigation (that helps them promotes an egg hatch). They attack both humans and animals, feasting on their blood all the time in a day.