Mosquitoes

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Related Topics: Biological Control, Mosquitoes, Larvae

Related Topics: Mosquitoes, Pest Management

Related Topics: Biological Control, Mosquitoes, Larvae

Mosquito Repellents

C. Roxanne Rutledge and Jonathan F. Day

Using Social Media to Communicate about Mosquito Control

Ashley McLeod-Morin, Ricky Telg, Phillip Stokes, Alena Poulin, Shelli Rampold, Angela B. Lindsey, and Sandra Anderson

Use and Application of Insect Repellents

P. G. Koehler, R. M. Pereira, and R. A. Allen

This document discusses the use and application of insect repellents, focusing on DEET and its alternatives. DEET has been effective for over 45 years but has potential adverse effects. New repellents like picaridin and oil of lemon eucalyptus offer similar protection with fewer side effects. The article provides guidelines for selecting and applying DEET products, minimizing exposure, and using repellents on children. It also highlights the importance of reading labels and following instructions to ensure safe and effective use. Publication date: March 1994.

Hurricanes and Mosquitoes

C. Roxanne Connelly

Container Mosquito Habitat Community Cleanup: A How-To Guide for Event Organization

Amy Hallock, Eva A. Buckner, Ricky W. Telg, and Alena R. Poulin

Being bitten by the container mosquitoes Aedes aegypti and Ae. albopictus means a higher risk of becoming infected with Zika, dengue, or chikungunya virus. Container mosquitoes develop in the water that collects in discarded tires, jars, cans, buckets, and boats. The best way to prevent irritating bites and dangerous mosquito-transmitted illnesses is to get rid of all trash that holds water. This fact sheet is packed with recommendations that will help you to successfully develop and host a cleanup event to reduce potential mosquito larval habitats in your community and keep yourself and your neighbors safe.

Mosquitoes and Bromeliads

Ana L. Romero-Weaver, L. Philip Lounibos, and Eva A. Buckner

Water can collect in the central tanks or axils of bromeliads, and immature stages of mosquitoes sometimes inhabit these small pools. This article provides recommendations for environmentally acceptable ways to control the production of nuisance mosquitoes in bromeliads; suggestions for planting species of bromeliads less likely to favor the production of mosquito-borne disease vectors; and general advice about personal protection against mosquito bites.

Zika Vector Control for the Urban Pest Management Industry

Casey Parker, Roxanne Connelly, Roberto Pereira, and Philip Koehler

This document provides an overview of Zika virus (ZIKV) transmission, symptoms, and control measures. It details the history of ZIKV outbreaks, modes of transmission, and associated health risks, including microcephaly and Guillain-Barré syndrome. The article emphasizes the importance of integrated vector management, including inspection, resident cooperation, larviciding, and adulticiding, to control mosquito populations. It also highlights the identification and biology of mosquito vectors, particularly Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus, and discusses regulatory aspects of mosquito control in Florida.

Using Wolbachia Bacteria to Control Mosquitoes and Mosquito-Borne Disease

Leena A. Salama, Abdullah A. Alomar, Daniel W. Pérez-Ramos, and Eric P. Caragata

This publication is intended for both the general public and mosquito control professionals. It outlines the use of the bacterium Wolbachia pipientis as a tool to control mosquito populations and reduce the spread of mosquito-borne disease. Biting mosquitoes transmit many pathogens that cause deadly diseases in people, our pets, and our livestock. Collectively, malaria, dengue, West Nile, filariasis, and other mosquito-borne diseases result in millions of infections and hundreds of thousands of deaths every year. Effective vaccines for most of these have not been developed or are not yet available to the general public, and disease management is focused on controlling mosquito populations. Insecticides have become less effective over the past fifty years as mosquito populations all over the world have developed resistance. This has driven scientists to explore new options for controlling mosquitoes, including using the bacterium Wolbachia pipientis.

Mosquito-borne diseases

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Publications

Showing 25 of 25 Publications

Southern House Mosquito Culex quinquefasciatus Say

Stephanie Hill and C. Roxanne Connelly

Common Malaria Mosquito Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Leslie M. Rios and C. Roxanne Connelly

The Featured Creatures collection provides in-depth profiles of insects, nematodes, arachnids and other organisms relevant to Florida. These profiles are intended for the use of interested laypersons with some knowledge of biology as well as academic audiences.

Ornate Tree Hole Mosquito, Orthopodomyia signifera (Coquillett, 1896) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Leigh H. Ketelsen and Eva A. Buckner

Culex coronator (Dyar & Knab) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Sierra M. Schluep, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena, Derrick K. Mathias, and Eva A. Buckner

Asian Tiger Mosquito, Aedes albopictus (Skuse) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Leslie Rios and James E. Maruniak

Yellow Fever Mosquito Aedes aegypti (Linnaeus) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Catherine Zettel and Phillip Kaufman

Northern House Mosquito Culex pipiens Linnaeus, 1758 (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Abdullah A. Alomar, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena, and Derrick K. Mathias

The Florida SLE Mosquito, Culex (Culex) nigripalpus Theobald (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

J. F. Day

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Integrated Pest Management

Genetically Modified Mosquitoes

Eric P. Caragata, Yoosook Lee, and Eva A. Buckner

Genetically modified (GM) mosquitoes are controversial, partly because of misinformation. This publication provides science-based information about GM mosquitoes to the public and anyone involved in mosquito control. It explains what GM mosquitoes are and why they are being investigated as a tool for mosquito control. Describes a GM mosquito pilot project in Florida, and includes FAQs and answers explaining how GM mosquitoes are created and their potential impacts on people and the environment.

A Mosquito Psorophora ferox (Humboldt 1819) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Chris Holderman and C. Roxanne Connelly

This document provides an in-depth profile of the mosquito species Psorophora ferox, commonly known as the white-footed woods mosquito. Native to North and South America, this mosquito is prevalent in woodland environments with intermittent pools. While it is not a major vector for human pathogens, it is known for its persistent and painful bites. The article details the mosquito’s life cycle, distribution, and medical significance, highlighting its role in transmitting certain viruses in laboratory settings. Management recommendations include avoiding outdoor activities during peak mosquito activity and using EPA-registered repellents.

A Mosquito Culex (Melanoconion) pilosus (Dyar and Knab) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Diana Vork and C. Roxanne Connelly

A Mosquito Mansonia titillans (Walker) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae: Culicinae: Mansoniini)

Diana Rojas-Araya, Derrick Mathias, and Nathan Burkett-Cadena

Uranotaenia sapphirina Osten Sacken (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae: Culicinae)

Sarah Maestas and Lawrence Reeves

Northern Frog Biting Mosquito Culex territans (Walker 1856) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Chanakya R. Bhosale, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena, and Derrick Mathias

African Malaria Mosquito Anopheles gambiae Giles (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Sabrina A. White and Phillip E. Kaufman

A UF/IFAS numbered Organism ID. in support of UF/IFAS Extension program: Integrated Pest Management

A Mosquito Culex cedecei Stone and Hair (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Kristin E. Sloyer and Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena

A Mosquito Culex erraticus (Dyar and Knab, 1906) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae: Culicini)

Mary Nordgulen, Nathan Burkett-Cadena, and Derrick Mathias

A Mosquito Culex (Melanoconion) iolambdis Dyar (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Stephanie K. HIll, Erik M. Blosser, and C. Roxanne Connelly

A Concise Guide on the Bionomics and Key Morphological Characteristics for Identifying Aedes pertinax (Grabham, 1906) – a Mosquito Species from the Neotropics Expanding in Geographic Range

Ana L. Romero-Weaver, Michael T. Riles, Kristin Sloyer, Yoosook Lee, Lindsay P. Campbell, and Bryan V. Giordano

Aedes pertinax is a non-invasive mosquito first described in Jamaica by Grabham in 1906. It is currently classified in the Protoculex Group. It was first identified in the U.S. in 2015; its current distribution is unknown because it is so difficult to differentiate it from other mosquito species that are morphologically similar. It has not been reported in association with humans or animal diseases, but Ae. Atlanticus, another mosquito in the Protoculex Group, is a vector of the Keystone virus and the West Nile virus, which have the potential to cause encephalitis and death. Moreover, Ae. serratus, once classified as synonym of Ae. pertinax, was reported infected with yellow fever in Brazil in 2008. Because Ae. pertinax may be a vector and because it has expanded its geographical range, it should be monitored closely. This publication provides a description of the species so that it can be identified and monitored.

No Common Name Aedes atlanticus (Dyar and Knab) (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Andrew D. Trujillo, Nathan D. Burkett-Cadena, and Derrick Mathias

Florida Container Mosquitoes

L. Philip Lounibos and Eva A. Buckner

Container mosquitoes inhabit small natural and artificial water-filled vessels during their immature stages. This publication lists and illustrates fifteen species of them, including two exotics that are the most important vector species of dengue, chikungunya, yellow fever, and Zika viruses. It also describes available control measures, the best for homeowners being to eliminate aquatic habitat by draining standing water in containers near homes.

Elephant mosquito Toxorhynchites rutilus Coquillett, 1896 (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)

Abdullah A. Alomar and Barry W. Alto

Asian Malaria Mosquito Anopheles stephensi Liston, 1901 (Insecta: Diptera: Culicidae)