Mansonia titillans
This record describes Mansonia titillans (species). Recorded family: Culicidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory The females are troublesome out-of-doors biters and are known to fly several miles from marshes, ponds, and lakes where their immature stages occur. Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus recovered from wild-caught Mansonia titillans in Trinidad, also known to be a vector of filariasis.
Identification notes
Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
TX, FL / W. Indies/ Mex. to S. Amer. ( 3 ) a serious problem in lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas ( 3 )
Diet and Behavior
Life History
After hatching, the larvae attach themselves to the submerged roots of aquatic plants from which they obtain oxygen. The pupae also remain attached to the roots of the plants until time for emergence of the adults. ( 3 )
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: titillans - Latin for 'tickle'
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Mansonia titillans. 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.
Photos of Mansonia titillans (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by john and jane balaban; Additional contributions by Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Mansonia titillans
What is Mansonia titillans?
Mansonia titillans is a species in the family Culicidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Mansonia titillans?
Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory
Where is Mansonia titillans found?
Range: TX, FL / W. Indies/ Mex. to S. Amer. ( 3 ) a serious problem in lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas ( 3 )
What is the life cycle of a Mansonia titillans?
After hatching, the larvae attach themselves to the submerged roots of aquatic plants from which they obtain oxygen. The pupae also remain attached to the roots of the plants until time for emergence of the adults. ( 3 )