Species Aedes aegypti - Yellow Fever Mosquito

Classification · Synonyms and other taxonomic changes · Identification · Food · Life Cycle · Internet References

Yellow Fever Mosquito - Aedes aegypti - female

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Diptera (Flies)

No Taxon ("Nematocera" (Non-Brachycera))

Infraorder Culicomorpha

Family Culicidae (Mosquitoes)

Genus Aedes

Species aegypti (Yellow Fever Mosquito)

Synonyms and other taxonomic changes

Stegomyia aegypti as propsed by Reinert et. al 2004.

Identification

Medium-sized blackish mosquito easily recognized by a silvery-white "lyre-shaped" pattern of scales on its scutum. Segments 1 to 4 of the hind tarsi possess broad basal white rings, segment 5 is white. The coloration of both sexes is similar.

Food

Larvae feed on the aquatic microbiota that develops in artificial containers.

Life Cycle

The total time for development through all 4 instars is dependent upon water temperature and food supply, and typically ranges from 4 to 10 days. Larvae die at temperatures below 10 degrees and above 44 degrees Celsius.

Internet References

University of Colorado

CDC. Distribution map.

Rutgers University

Contributed by Beatriz Moisset on 15 December, 2005 - 5:42pm
Additional contributions by Omar Fahmy
Last updated 15 July, 2006 - 8:13pm

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