Culex Mosquitoes

Culex tritaeniorhynchus

Appearance

•  Adult - thorax, legs and veins on the wings are always covered with brown scales. Dull in colour. The tip of the abdomen is always blunt.
•  Larval rest 45 degree from the surface of the water
•  Egg is brown, long and cylindrical, vertical on water surface, cemented in a raft of 300 eggs. Raft usually 3 - 4mm long and 2 - 3mm wide.

Lifecycle

•  Egg to adult stage takes 6 - 10 days
•  Complete metamorphosis - egg, larval, pupa and adult.

Habits

•  Habitat - mainly breed in paddy field, polluted stagnant water and drains.
•  Biting rhythm - bite at night and usually rest indoor before and after the blood meal. Sometimes they may rest outdoor.
•  Prefer darker colours
•  Long distance fliers
•  Main vector for Japanese B - Encephalitis