Some species of mosquitoes found in the West Valley area are involved in the transmission of important diseases of humans and pets such as St. Louis encephalitis (SLE), western equine encephalomyelitis (WEE), West Nile virus (WNV), malaria and dog heartworm.

These diseases are transmitted by infected mosquitoes. SLE and WEE viruses are endemic to this area while WNV is a newcomer to North America. These viruses are passed from bird to bird by mosquitoes. Occasionally, when infected mosquitoes feed on humans or domestic animals the virus is passed to the new hosts. The outcome of infection can be mild to severe to death.

MOSQUITO LIFE CYCLE

Mosquitoes exhibit complete metamorphosis, going through four different life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. All of the immature stages of the mosquito lifecycle occur in water.

Depending on the species of mosquito, the eggs are laid singly or in clumps in the shape of a raft; the eggs can be laid on damp soil or directly on the surface of stagnant water.

Larvae have four (4) different stages of development, each one referred to as an "instar". The larvae are very active swimmers; and they feed on tiny organic material found in the water. Due to their backwards-wriggling swimming style, they are often referred to as "wrigglers" and have the appearance of tiny worms.

When larvae complete development, they molt into pupae. Pupae have a large, round head and a tail. Many people confuse them for tadpoles because of their appearance. Pupae are often called "tumblers" because they move through water in a summersault motion when they are disturbed. As is common in most insect species, the pupae do not eat. This is the stage where the larvae transform into flying adult mosquitoes.

The final stage in the lifecycle of the mosquito is the adult. This is the stage where mosquitoes cause us the most discomfort and transmission of disease organisms occurs.

Adult mosquitoes have a pair of scale-covered wings for flight; the female mosquito has an organ specially designed for piercing and sucking blood from a host, a proboscis. The male does not take a blood meal and only feeds on plant juices and other sugars.

For more information on mosquitoes check out this website
http://www.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7451.html