SIZE: 1/4 to 1/2 inch

COLOR: Brown

DESCRIPTION: Thin, long-legged winged insect; adults have three pairs of long, slender legs. Mosquitoes have an elongate "beak" or piercing proboscis

HABITAT: Most remain close to the lake, pond, or clogged gutter they lived in as larvae. Excess rain in the spring will provide plenty of breeding places for mosquitoes.

LIFE CYCLE: Adult female (only!) mosquitoes seek a blood meal so they can produce a new patch of eggs.

Eggs, pupae and larvae must have water to develop. Larvae feed on bits of organic matter in the water, becoming full grown in about one week. The pupal stage lasts two to three days.

CONTROL: Homeowners should carefully inspect their house (gutters) and yard (bird bath, old tires, buckets) for standing water - then dump it!

INTERESTING FACTS:

• Male antennas are much hairier than females. The purpose of these hairs is to attract females to mate.
• Males do not attack humans and animals but feed on plant nector.
• “Mosquito” is a Spanish or Potrugese word meaning “little fly”.
• Some mosquitoes are capable of transmitting diseases such as the West Nile Virus, which has been found in the Nashville & Middle TN area.