Woodland Malaria Mosquitoes - Napa County Mosquito Abatement District

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WOODLAND MALARIA MOSQUITO GENERAL INFORMATION
The Woodland Malaria Mosquito (Anopheles punctipennis) is one of 53 types of mosquitoes that occur in California. This is the most common Anopheles mosquito in the Sierra Nevada foothills and coastal ranges of California. Preferred habitat is wooded areas along seasonal creeks and year-round rivers and streams.

	Adult Daily Activity: Mated females usually overwinter in shelters near their larval breeding sites.
	Adult Flight Range: Usually stay close to their breeding site although they have been known to occasionally disperse more than one mile.
	Adult Feeding: This species is an aggressive day and dusk biting mosquito with large mammals being their preferred hosts. Woodland Malaria Mosquitoes will readily bite humans when possible.
	Eggs and Larvae: Eggs are laid individually on the water's surface, hatching within a few days. Larvae inhabit shaded grassy pools of creeks and streams.

DISEASES TRANSMITTED

Woodland Malaria Mosquito is considered an important vector of human malaria in the Central Valley and foothill areas of California.

WOODLAND MALARIA MOSQUITO LIFE CYCLE

Woodland Malaria Mosquitoes have four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The immature stages need standing water to complete their life cycle.

After an adult female lays her eggs they hatch into larvae (wrigglers), which feed on small organic particles and microorganisms in the water. Because they are air breathing organisms they must return to the water's surface to breathe. About one to two weeks are required for larval development. At the end of the larval stage, the mosquito molts and becomes the aquatic pupa (tumbler). The pupa is active only if disturbed, for this is the resting stage where the larval form is transformed into the adult. This takes about two days during which time feeding does not occur. When the transformation is completed, the new adult splits the pupal skin and emerges. Under optimum conditions, development from egg to adult takes about three weeks. However, all mosquito developmental times are dependent on the temperature and nutrients of the water in which they mature.

CONTROL METHODS

Where possible, the best approach is to prevent mosquitoes from breeding by modifying their breeding sites. Careful planning and coordinated efforts with landowners, regulatory agencies and concerned citizens is essential for any creek or stream enhancement project.

RESIDENTS SHOULD

If you have a mosquito problem call your local Mosquito Abatement District to identify the problem. That is the first step in identifying what type of mosquito is being dealt with.

Use insect repellents if it is necessary when in an area where this mosquito is found. Read and follow the directions carefully!

PERSONAL PROTECTION FROM MOSQUITOES		FIRST AID FOR MOSQUITO BITES
q Reduce outdoor activities during peak feeding periods.		q Wash bite with soap and water.
q Wear long pants and long sleeved shirts.		q Apply anti-itch medication.
q Apply insect repellent.		q Apply cold cloth for swelling.
		q Watch for secondary infections.

For more information on Woodland Malaria Mosquitoes contact:

Napa County Mosquito Abatement District

NAPA COUNTY MOSQUITO ABATEMENT DISTRICT

P.O. Box 10053 ~ American Canyon, CA 94503 ~ 707-553-9610

Eva Carrender Webmaster; Page last updated 04/02/2004 05:08 PM