Species Anopheles quadrimaculatus - North American Malaria Mosquito

The "Quads" or Common Malaria Mosquito

Anopheles quadrimaculatus Say, 1824

Called An. quadrimaculatus because of the four (quad) dark spots of scales on each wing.

Larva:

- Siphon absent

- Head hairs 8 and 9 are usually with 8 to 10 branches

- Lateral setae on the 4th, 5th, and 6th segments are not plumose

- Four distinct dark spots on the wings

Adult Female:

- Proboscis dark scaled

- Scutum is brown with fine yellowish setae

- Abdominal terga are tan to dark brown

- Apices of femur and tibia are pale

- Four distinct dark spots on the wings

Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory (1)

e. NA (TX-FL-ME-SD / ON-QC / Mex) (2), Distribution in Texas (3)

Larvae can be found in marshes, ponds, and margins of shallow streams.

The larvae are found in permanent fresh water in sluggish streams, canals, ponds, and lakes containing surface-growing or emergent vegetation or floating debris, and only occasionally in pools of a temporary nature. (2)

Larvae: July-September

Adults: All Year

Females prefer mammals for blood meals.

Adult females overwinter in abandoned buildings, caves, hollow trees or animal burrows. Multivoltine (multiple generations per year).

This species is the primary vector of Plasmodium vivax and Plasmodium falciparum, the causitve agents of malaria in North America. West Nile Virus and Eastern Equine Encephalitis have also been isolated from it. Transmission of St. Louis Encephalitis has been obtained with this species in laboratory experiments, and An. quadrimaculatus has also been found to be an excellent host for Dirofilaria immitis, the causitive agent of dog heartworm disease.

Rutgers - Claudia O'Malley, Burlington County Mosquito Extermination Commission, 2013

Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory (1)