Culex Mosquito
Culex tritaeniorhynchus
Appearance
- Eggs are brown, long and cylindrical, rest vertically on the surface of the water and are cemented in a raft of 300 eggs. Raft usually 3 – 4mm long and 2 – 3mm wide.
- Adult – thorax is dull in colour, covered in brown scales, with legs and veins on the wings, and an abdomen that is always blunt.
- Larvae rest 45 degree from the surface of the water
Lifecycle
- Culex mosquitoes undergo complete metamorphosis – egg, larvae, pupae and adult
- Egg to adult development takes 6 – 10 days
Habits
- Biting timing – bite at night and usually rest indoors before and after a blood meal. Sometimes rest outdoors.
- Prefer dark colours
- Strong, long distance fliers
- Main vector for Japanese B – Encephalitis
- Habitat preference – mainly breed in paddy fields, polluted stagnant water and drains.