Mosquitoes are carriers of the West Nile Virus.
There are many varieties of mosquitoes, but only specific ones are found in certain areas. The Florida plains are a perfect example of the diversity found in mosquitoes, with different areas having different varieties. Florida has two coastal plains, the Atlantic and the Gulf, as well as a large portion of the mainland. There are 68 kinds of mosquitoes in the Florida plains, but only 24 carry diseases. Most species are widespread or found state-wide, but a few are only found in one or two regions.
Northwest
The area surrounding Panama City, in the Northwest region of Florida, is a part of the Gulf Coast plain. There are five species of mosquito in the Northwest that are not widespread or found state-wide: Aedes thibaulti (Gulf County), Anopheles inundatus (Liberty County), Anopheles maverlius (Liberty County), Psorophora horrida (Gulf County) and Psorophora mathesoni (Liberty and Franklin counties). Aedes thibaulti are commonly found near gum and cypress trees, specifically the stump holes and cavities. Psorophora horrida usually reside near shaded pools. Psorophora mathesoni prefer woodland areas. Anopheles inundatus and Anopheles maverlius do not prefer a specific habitat.
North Central
There are also five species of mosquito in the North Central region of Florida: Aedes cinereus (Leon County), Aedes hendersoni (Leon County), Anopheles barberi (Alachua and Leon counties), Psorophora mathesoni (Gadsen and Madison counties) and Toxorhynchites r septentrionalis (Leon County).
A carrier of Malaria, Anopheles barberi is the only species of mosquito in the North Central region that carries disease. They prefer stump holes and rot cavities in trees, but will breed wherever there is still water in a wooded area. Aedes cinereus opt for woodland pools and marshes when mating. Toxorhynchites r septentrionalis commonly live near rot cavities in trees, rain barrels or other areas where still water collects. Female Toxorhynchites r septentrionalis do not feed on blood.
Northeast
The Northeast region of Florida is home to five species of mosquito: Anopheles barberi (Duval, Flagler and Putnam counties), Aedes hendersoni (Duval County), Toxorhynchites r septentrionalis (Flagler County), Psorophora horrida (Putnam County) and Orthopodomyia alba (St. Johns County).
As with the North Central region, the Malaria carrying Anopheles barberi are the only mosquitoes in the Northeast region that carry disease.
Central East
Six variety of mosquitoes call the Central East region of Florida home: Aedes hendersoni (Volusia County), Aedes c mathesoni (Indian River County), Aedes tortilis (Indian River and St. Lucie counties), Culex declarator (Indian River County), Culex iolambdis (Indian River and St. Lucie counties) and Toxorhynchites r septentrionalis (Indian River County).
The Culex declarator is the only mosquito in the Central East region that carries disease: St. Louis Encephalitis and Turlock virus. Aedes c mathesoni and Aedes tortilis often breed in dark areas where there is standing water. Culex iolambdis breed near black mangrove trees, particularly in the small ponds of standing water created by the roots.
Central
There is only one species of mosquito that lives in the Central region of Florida: Orthopodomyia alba (Highlands County). Water-filled rot cavities and still waters are the breeding ground of choice for Orthopodomyia alba, which is not a carrier of disease.
Central West
There are three species of mosquito living in the Central West region of Florida: Aedes c mathesoni (Hillsborough County), Culex atratus (Manatee County) and Culex iolambdis (Manatee County). None of the mosquitoes listed carry disease. Ground pools are the typical breeding ground of the Culex atratus.
Widespread
There are 34 species of mosquito that are found in many areas of Florida. Of those 34, nine species carry disease. Anopheles atropos, Anopheles bradleyi and Mansonia dyari all carry disease that causes heartworm in dogs. Anopheles punctipennis and Anopheles quadrimaculatus also carry disease that causes heartworm in dogs, but they also carry Malaria. Anopheles walkeri carry Malaria. Culex tarsalis carry western equine encephalitis, as well as the St. Louis and California strains of encephalitis. Culiseta melanura carry Eastern equine encephalitis, while Mansonia titillans carry Venezuelan equine encephalitis and the disease the causes heartworm in dogs.
State-wide
Nineteen species of mosquito are found statewide in Florida. Thirteen of the 19 species carry diseases. Coquillettidia perturbans and Aedes sollicitans carry Eastern equine encephalitis. Aedes vexans carry Eastern equine encephalitis, but they also carry the disease that causes heartworm in dogs. Culex nigripalpus carry St. Louis and West Nile encephalitis, as well as the disease that causes heartworm in dogs. Anopheles atropos, Aedes taeniorhynchus and Psorophora ferox carry the disease that causes heartworm in dogs. Anopheles crucians carry Malaria, while Aedes triseriatus carry LaCrosse encephalitis. Aedes albopictus carry Dengue. Aedes aegypti also carry Dengue, but also carry Yellow Fever. Venezuelan equine encephalitis is carried by Psorophora columbia. Culex quinquefasciatus carry Wuchereria bancrofti, western equine and St. Louis encephalitis.
Tags: species mosquito, carry disease, causes heartworm, causes heartworm dogs, equine encephalitis, heartworm dogs