Brown Saltmarsh Mosquito
Ochlerotatus cantator
This record describes Ochlerotatus cantator (species). Recorded family: Culicidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Adult Female: - Dark scaled proboscis - Scutum is pretty plain with golden brown scales - Usually the last two tergites of the abdomen are pale scaled - Hind tarsomeres have narrow pale basal bands Adults don't travel far from salt water. This is one of the first mosquitos to emerge in the spring.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
Larvae live in saltmarshes or freshwater pools around saltmarshes.
Seasonal Activity
Larvae: March - November Adults: May - October
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Females prefer the blood of mammals and birds.
Life History
It is a multivoltine species and overwinters as an egg.
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Ochlerotatus cantator. 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 Brown Saltmarsh Mosquito (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by Beatriz Moisset; Additional contributions by john and jane balaban , Omar Fahmy
Frequently Asked Questions About Brown Saltmarsh Mosquito
What is Brown Saltmarsh Mosquito?
Brown Saltmarsh Mosquito (Ochlerotatus cantator) is a species in the family Culicidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Brown Saltmarsh Mosquito?
Adult Female: - Dark scaled proboscis - Scutum is pretty plain with golden brown scales - Usually the last two tergites of the abdomen are pale scaled - Hind tarsomeres have narrow pale basal bands
Where is Brown Saltmarsh Mosquito found?
Habitat: Larvae live in saltmarshes or freshwater pools around saltmarshes.
What does Brown Saltmarsh Mosquito eat?
The diet of the Brown Saltmarsh Mosquito includes Females prefer the blood of mammals and birds..
When is Brown Saltmarsh Mosquito active?
Brown Saltmarsh Mosquito: seasonal activity - Larvae: March - November Adults: May - October.
What is the life cycle of a Brown Saltmarsh Mosquito?
It is a multivoltine species and overwinters as an egg.