Mosquito Facts

• Montana is home to 50 species of mosquitoes in 6 genera. 
  • 75-80% of the mosquito species in Montana are from the genus (group): Aedes

Genera:

• Aedes - 34 species
• Anopheles - 4 species
• Coquilletida - 1 species
• Culex - 4 species
• Culiseta - 6 species
• Psorophora - 1 species

• Both male and female mosquitoes feed on floral nectar. In doing so, they are considered "passive pollinators" which means that they unknowingly and unintentionally aid in the pollination of plants as they are feeding. Only female mosquitoes feed on blood which is necessary for egg development. 
• Male mosquitoes have feathery antennae, whereas female mosquitoes have non-plumose antennae
• Mosquitoes are able to overwinter. Depending on the species, they can overwinter as eggs, larvae, or adults.
• Mosquitoes go through holometabolous metamorphosis, or complete "Metamorphosis," developing through 4 developmental stages. The first 3 stages are aquatic.
1. Egg
2. Larva
3. Pupa
4. Adult

Resource: Mosquito Abatement Training Manual, MT Dept. of Ag., Helena, MT, 2017, pg. 2-10, 23-29.

Mosquito Metamorphosis

• An Odyssey Earth video showing mosquito metamorphosis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C2NRoxyf3aY

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