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Female Aedes vexans. Note: scalloped abdominal bands and narrow bands of pale scales on legs help in ID of this species |
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Photo: L. Minter, 2008 |
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Female Aedes vexans |
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Photo: L. Minter, 2008 |
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Photo: L. Minter, 2008 |
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Female Aedes vexans |
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Aedes vexans is a species which relies on floodwaters to complete its lifecycle. The female lays her eggs on wet soil along the edge of a water source (often a puddle). The eggs hatch when rainwater over-fills the puddle and comes into contact with them.
This species is very common in areas along the Ohio River due to the abundance of breeding places, including standing water held in river barges. It is the dominant mosquito captured by traps in the Louisville metro area and probably accounts for close to 90% of human bites in the area. |
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Flooded fields, such as this one along the Ohio River, are typical springtime breeding places for Aedes vexans. |
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Photo: L. Minter, 2004 |
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Floodwater Mosquito, Aedes vexans |
