{"id":41,"date":"2014-02-07T03:11:41","date_gmt":"2014-02-07T03:11:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.indianavector.org\/?page_id=41"},"modified":"2019-05-29T08:25:34","modified_gmt":"2019-05-29T13:25:34","slug":"41-2","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.indianavector.org\/?page_id=41","title":{"rendered":"Mosquitoes"},"content":{"rendered":"<h1><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Biology<\/span><\/h1>\n<p>Mosquitoes are small, long-legged, two-winged insects belonging to the order Diptera.\u00a0 Worldwide, there are over 2,600 known species.\u00a0 In Indiana, fifty-three species have been identified.<\/p>\n<p>Mosquitoes have four distinct stages of development:\u00a0 egg, larvae, pupae, and adult.\u00a0 Eggs must be in water in order to hatch.\u00a0 Larvae and pupae are aquatic; adults are active, free-flying insects.<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/extension.entm.purdue.edu\/publichealth\/insects\/mosquito.html#lifecycles\" target=\"_blank\">Illustration of Mosquito Life Cycle<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Male mosquitoes emerge from the pupal stage about twenty-four hours before the females.\u00a0 Mating occurs within forty-eight hours, so the majority of females in any population are always fertile.\u00a0 Both females and males utilize nectar and other plant juices as energy sources; <strong> only females take a blood meal, utilizing the protein to produce eggs<\/strong>.<\/p>\n<p>Mosquitoes can be placed into two categories.\u00a0 One\u00a0category consists of\u00a0mosquito species that lay their eggs on the surface of water, while the other category is mosquitoes that lay their eggs on\u00a0a moist surface next to or above water.\u00a0 Mosquitoes in the second category can be labeled &#8220;floodwater&#8221; mosquitoes.\u00a0 They will hatch when the water covers the\u00a0eggs and the conditions are correct.\u00a0 An example is eggs are layed on wet leaves next to a low area in the middle of the woods.\u00a0 A heavy rain fills up the low area and the eggs are covered.\u00a0 If the temperature is warm enough, the eggs hatch.\u00a0 If there is no rain, the eggs are protected by a hard cover and may survive up to ten years.\u00a0 The majority of nuisance mosquitoes are floodwater species, such as <em>Aedes vexans<\/em> and <em> Psorophora ciliata<\/em>.\u00a0 <em>Aedes triseriatus<\/em>, a vector of LaCrosse\u00a0Encephalitis,\u00a0lays her eggs along the insides of treeholes and artificial containers.<\/p>\n<p>Surface egg-laying mosquitoes deposit their eggs singly or in rafts that may hold 100 to 200 eggs.\u00a0 <em>Culex<\/em> species lay egg rafts on water in clogged gutters, tires, birdbaths, dried-up ditches, and un-maintained swimming pools.\u00a0 <em>Anopheles<\/em> species lay several single eggs on open bodies of water.<\/p>\n<p>Mosquitoes also differ in the time of day when biting occurs.\u00a0 Some species bite during the day, while others only bite at night.\u00a0 <em>Aedes triseriatus<\/em> is a day-time biter, while <em>Culex pipiens<\/em> is a dusk to dawn biter.<\/p>\n<div id=\"mainContainer0\">\n<h1><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Diseases<\/span><\/h1>\n<p>Mosquitoes kill more people than sharks, but people are more afraid of sharks than mosquitoes.\u00a0 The insects are responsible for the spread of many diseases throughout the world.\u00a0 Yellow fever, malaria, dengue, and elephantitus are common in tropical regions.\u00a0 For those of us living in the Midwest, encephalitis is the disease of most concern.<\/p>\n<p>Encephalitis is an inflammation of the brain, which can be caused by a mosquito-borne virus.\u00a0 The onset of the disease is usually sudden and the symptoms may include high fever, headache, nausea, vomiting, stiff neck, dizziness, drowsiness progressing into a coma, muscular twitching, and convulsions.\u00a0 Some patients have speech difficulties, are mentally confused, lethargic, and show tremors of the tongue, lips, and hands, while others are irritable, confused or irrational.\u00a0 In some cases, there may be spastic paralysis.\u00a0 The eyes may be involved, causing double vision in the individual.\u00a0 Reflexes, such as the knee jerk, are exaggerated.<\/p>\n<p>In Indiana, there are four kinds of mosquito-borne encephalitis of major concern:\u00a0 West Nile virus (WNv), LaCrosse Encephalitis (LAC), St. Louis Encephalitis (SLE), and Eastern Equine Encephalomyelitis (EEE).<\/p>\n<p><strong>Diseases:<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/westnile\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">West Nile Virus<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/lac\/\" target=\"_blank\">LaCrosse Encephalitis<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/EasternEquineEncephalitis\/\" target=\"_blank\">Eastern Equine Encephalitis<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/sle\/\" target=\"_blank\">St. Louis Encephalitis<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/Dengue\/\" target=\"_blank\">Dengue<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/chikungunya\/\" target=\"_blank\">Chikungunya<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/malaria\/\" target=\"_blank\">Malaria<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/zika\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">Zika Virus<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<h1><span style=\"font-size: large;\">Prevention &amp; Control<\/span><\/h1>\n<p><strong>WHAT CAN THE PUBLIC DO TO PREVENT &amp; CONTROL MOSQUITOES?<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>All mosquitoes require standing water (at a minimum of 1\/4 inches deep) for the first three stages of development.\u00a0 Consequently, the elimination of any vessel capable of holding water for extended periods of time is essential.<\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li>Check your property for breeding sites.<\/li>\n<li>Clean out leaves and debris from clogged gutters.<\/li>\n<li>Do not allow tires to accumulate outside.<\/li>\n<li>Flush out birdbaths once a week.\u00a0 Empty or turn over wading pools when not in use.<\/li>\n<li>Dispose of containers, trays, and can that can hold water.<\/li>\n<li>Cover or store canoes and boats upside down.<\/li>\n<li>Maintain backyard swimming pools and spas to discourage the development of mosquitoes.\u00a0 If not going to use the pool, then place a cover over the pool and pitch it in the middle so the cover will not collect leaves and rain water.<\/li>\n<li>Aerate ornamental ponds and water gardens.<\/li>\n<li>Limit time spent outdoors during peak mosquito biting times.<\/li>\n<li>Wear loose, light-colored, long sleeves and pants.<\/li>\n<li>Use a repellant that contains DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus or IR3535.\u00a0 Repellants can be used on children, 2 months and older, but check the label before applying.<\/li>\n<li>Purchase a hand-fogger to use when working outside or having a backyard party.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Prevention &amp; Control Information<\/strong><\/p>\n<div>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/extension.entm.purdue.edu\/mosquito_tool\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">Interactive Identification of Mosquito Breeding Sites in the Community<\/a> (Purdue University)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/mosquitocontrol\" target=\"_blank\">Mosquito Control, Repellants, and Pesticides<\/a>\u00a0(EPA)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/npic.orst.edu\/pest\/mosquito\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">Understanding and Controlling Mosquitoes<\/a> (NPIC)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/westnile\/prevention\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">Mosquito Prevention &amp; Control<\/a> (CDC)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/div>\n<p><strong>Repellant Information<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.allencountyhealth.com\/data\/library\/documents\/13\/biteback_poster_1_woods.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Bite Back Poster<\/a>\u00a0(FWACDOH)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.cdc.gov\/westnile\/faq\/repellent.html\" target=\"_blank\">Insect Repellant Use &amp; Safety<\/a> (CDC)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.epa.gov\/insect-repellents\" target=\"_blank\">Choosing an Insect Repellant<\/a> (EPA)<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Biological Control<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>Biological control requires introducing a natural predator into the habitat of the mosquito.\u00a0 Dragonflies, praying mantids, bats, and purple martins have been promoted as natural controls, but have not shown the ability to significantly reduce mosquito populations.<\/p>\n<p><em>Gambusia affinis<\/em>, also known as &#8220;mosquitofish&#8221;, are a top-feeding guppie that offer excellant control of larvae and pupae in ornamental ponds and backyard garden pools.\u00a0 These fish have upturned mouths and work along the surface, feeding on mosquito larvae and other small invertebrates.\u00a0 They are somewhat tolerant of organic pollution and reproduce rapidly.<\/p>\n<p>Since the fish will interfere with the life cycle of other aquatic organisms around them, certain restrictions apply as to where they can be used.\u00a0 In general, they cannot be placed in an area, such as rivers, creeks, ditches, and lakes, where they will interfere with any Indiana game fish.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Helpful Information:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.astho.org\/ASTHOReports\/Public-Health-Confronts-the-Mosquito\/05-21-19\/\" target=\"_blank\">Public Health Confronts the Mosquito: Developing Sustainable State and Local Mosquito Control Programs, 2nd Ed.<\/a> (ASTHO)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/mosquito.site-ym.com\/resource\/resmgr\/docs\/Resource_Center\/Training_Certification\/12.21_amca_guidelines_final_.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Best Practices for Integrated Mosquito Management Manual, 2017<\/a> (AMCA)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.in.gov\/isdh\/23592.htm\" target=\"_blank\">Indiana State Department of Health<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/extension.entm.purdue.edu\/publications\/E-242.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">The Biology and Medical Importance of Mosquitoes in Indiana<\/a> (Purdue)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/extension.entm.purdue.edu\/publications\/E-26.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Mosquitoes In and Around the Home<\/a> (Purdue)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/extension.entm.purdue.edu\/publications\/E-52.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Mosquito Management by Trained Personnel<\/a> (Purdue)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.oisc.purdue.edu\/pesticide\/8.html\" target=\"_blank\">Become Licensed to Conduct Community-Wide Mosquito Control<\/a> (OISC)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/www.mosquito.org\/\" target=\"_blank\">American Mosquito Control Association<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/diseasemaps.usgs.gov\/index.html\" target=\"_blank\">U.S. Geological Survey Disease Maps<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/pesthelpers.com\/types\/mosquitoes\" target=\"_blank\">Mosquito Information<\/a> (Pest Helpers)<\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.indianavector.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2014\/01\/Mosquitoes-of-the-Ohio-River-Basin-Manual.pdf\" target=\"_blank\">Mosquitoes of the Ohio River Basin<\/a> (Catherine L. E. Craker and Frank H. Collins)<span style=\"color: #ff0000;\"><strong><br \/>\n<\/strong><span style=\"color: #000000;\">For more information about the manual, please contact Dr. Craker at <a href=\"mailto:c-young.1@onu.edu\">c-young.1@onu.edu<\/a>.<\/span><\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Biology Mosquitoes are small, long-legged, two-winged insects belonging to the order Diptera.\u00a0 Worldwide, there are over 2,600 known species.\u00a0 In Indiana, fifty-three species have been identified. Mosquitoes have four distinct stages of development:\u00a0 egg, larvae, pupae, and adult.\u00a0 Eggs must be in water in order to hatch.\u00a0 Larvae and pupae [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-41","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indianavector.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/41","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indianavector.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indianavector.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.indianavector.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.indianavector.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=41"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/www.indianavector.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/41\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":309,"href":"https:\/\/www.indianavector.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/pages\/41\/revisions\/309"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.indianavector.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=41"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}