The Aedes Aegypti Mosquito
Aedes Aegypti Mosquito is one of the most serious mosquito species because it is the carrier of the life-threatening Zika virus. Besides Zika, the Aedes Aegypti Mosquito is also known for transmitting the dengue virus, chikungunya virus and yellow fever virus. Broadly it is also known as the yellow fever mosquito and is widely spread in the tropical and subtropical regions.
This article will give you a basic understanding of the dangerous Aedes Aegypti Mosquito and its characteristics; this will aid you in avoiding contact with this harmful species.
HOW TO IDENTIFY AEDES AEGYPTI MOSQUITOES
Appearance
The Aedes Aegypti Mosquito is a small and dark colored mosquito. On average this mosquito is around 3-4 mm long. It is easy to identify this mosquito because of its distinct body structure. On the dorsal side of the thorax, there is a lyre-shaped marking, whereas it has banded legs having visible white stripes.
Behavior:
Aedes Aegypti Mosquitoes, or yellow fever mosquitoes, are an aggressive mosquito species that attacks its victims in daylight. They prefer to feast on human blood; therefore they live in close proximity to humans and regularly invade houses to find new targets and resting places.
They hide and rest in dark places in the house, like in wardrobes, under the bed or sofa, in quiet dark rooms, in open containers and even on dark clothes.
Like most types of mosquitoes, only the female Aedes Aegypti Mosquito bites humans as it needs blood to produce eggs, whereas their male mosquitoes feed on plant nectar.
Signs
The Aedes Aegypti Mosquitoes look quite similar to other less harmful mosquitoes, it’s difficult to recognize them to the naked eye. If a mosquito bites you indoors and in the daytime, mostly around dawn and dusk (4-6 am & 4-6 pm), there is a great chance that it is an Aedes Aegypti Mosquito.
Aedes Aegypti Mosquitoes habitually bite people indoors and they are extremely quick flying around swiftly, therefore it’s hard to catch them. Moreover, their favorite hiding place is under furniture and typically bites the target on the foot or around ankles. Their bites usually go unnoticed as aren’t very painful, just itchy later.