California Salt Marsh Mosquito
Ochlerotatus squamiger
This record describes Ochlerotatus squamiger (species). Recorded family: Culicidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Classification
Diet and Behavior
Life History
"The female Salt Marsh Mosquito deposits her eggs singly on mud along the edge of receding tide pools in spring and early summer. The eggs hatched when the winter rains and high tides flood the marsh. Larvae mature during winter and the adults emerge from mid February to April." (San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District)
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Ochlerotatus squamiger. 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 California Salt Marsh Mosquito (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr