Asian Rock Pool Mosquito
Aedes japonicus
This record describes Aedes japonicus (species). Recorded family: Culicidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Larvae: The head is dark colored and the abdomen is creamy colored. Adult Female: The pattern on the scutum is distinctive. There are 5 golden striped scales and the lateral scales are pale and white in a lyre shape. There are also broad pale basal bands on the hind tarsomeres. The proboscis is dark and unbanded, sometimes with silvery scales. This species was accidentally introduced from Japan in the late 1990s. It was first identified in 1998 in New Jersey. It is an important vector of West Nile virus. The females are very aggressive biters.
Wikipedia reference for Aedes japonicus: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aedes_japonicus.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
The eggs are usually laid in the rim of an artificial container. Any aritifical container will do for the larvae as long as it has enough food (decaying organic matter)
Geographic Range
ne N. Amer. (BG data)
Seasonal Activity
Larvae: March - November Adults: mostly May-Oct (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Females prefer blood from mammals
Life History
Overwinters as an egg or larva. Multivoltine
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: japonicus - sp. originally described from Japan
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Aedes japonicus. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diptera includes over 150,000 described species of flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth (CDC). Malaria alone causes ~249 million cases and over 608,000 deaths annually, mostly children under 5 (WHO). Vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700,000+ deaths per year.
Ecological role of the group
Despite their disease impact, flies are critical decomposers and pollinators. Hoverflies alone pollinate hundreds of crop and wildflower species. Flies are also the primary food source for many birds, bats, and fish. Forensic entomology relies heavily on fly species for crime scene analysis.
Economic and practical significance of the group
In the U.S., vector-borne disease cases tripled between 2004-2016, with over 640,000 cases reported in that period (CDC). Tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 to 48,000 annual reports. Globally, mosquito-borne diseases cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.
Recorded sources for this group: WHO, CDC, PNAS. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Frequently Asked Questions About Asian Rock Pool Mosquito
What is Asian Rock Pool Mosquito?
Asian Rock Pool Mosquito (Aedes japonicus) is a species in the family Culicidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Asian Rock Pool Mosquito?
Larvae: The head is dark colored and the abdomen is creamy colored. Adult Female: The pattern on the scutum is distinctive. There are 5 golden striped scales and the lateral scales are pale and white in a lyre shape. There are also broad pale basal bands on the hind tarsomeres. The proboscis is dark and unbanded, sometimes with silvery scales.
Where is Asian Rock Pool Mosquito found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | The eggs are usually laid in the rim of an artificial container. Any aritifical container will do for the larvae as long as it has enough food (decaying organic matter) |
| Range | ne N. Amer. (BG data) |
What does Asian Rock Pool Mosquito eat?
The diet of the Asian Rock Pool Mosquito includes Females prefer blood from mammals.
When is Asian Rock Pool Mosquito active?
Asian Rock Pool Mosquito: seasonal activity - Larvae: March - November Adults: mostly May-Oct (BG data).
What is the life cycle of a Asian Rock Pool Mosquito?
Overwinters as an egg or larva. Multivoltine