Aedes cinereus
The larvae of this species prefers shallow woodland pools or margins of large ponds, and because its flight range is limited, the females tend to be found near these areas.  Occasionally, numbers can reach pest levels in the northern states, but generally, Aedes cinereus is only found in sparse numbers even though it is distributed throughout the United States.  Aedes cinereus are considered ankle biters because they usually bite the lower extremities.
 
 
 
 
 

Aedes vexans
(Inland Floodwater Mosquito)
Aedes vexans is generally the most abundant mosquito found throughout South Dakota, and is one of the main "pest" mosquitoes found throughout the Northern Plains.   Females feed on humans and domesticated animals.  They are most active at night, but will feed during the day in shady areas. Aedes vexans females are medium in size and brown to dark gray in color.  They are characterized by dark tarsi with narrow basal white rings. Aedes vexans over winters in the egg stage, and the eggs hatch in early spring when breeding places become flooded.  Not all hatching occurs at this time.  Some larvae may hatch in later summer when pools become dry and are later reflooded. Aedes vexans is capable of carrying the West Nile Virus, but does not play a significant role in transmission in this area.
 
 

Genus Anopheles
The palpi of Anopheles female mosquitoes are about as long as the proboscis, and most of the species possess spotted wings.  Anopheles rest with the head, thorax, and abdomen at an angle of 40-90 degrees to their resting surface.  Most females from this genus are active at night, especially just after dark and just before daylight.  Species living in the United States feed more frequently on domestic animals than man.
 

Anopheles punctipennis
Anopheles punctipennis can probably be found in all of the contiguous states within the United States, and the larvae can live in a wide variety of habitats but prefer cool water.  They are generally the first Anopheles to appear in the spring.  In the northern states, they can be found throughout the summer.  This species has wings with conspicuous spots with pale and dark scales.  The palpi are entirely dark.  Anopheles punctipennis is not thought to be a natural vector of malaria.  It is a vicious biter, and will readily enter homes.
 
 
 
 
 
 

Anopheles quadrimaculatus (Common Malaria Mosquito)
Anopheles quadrimaculatus is most abundant in the south-eastern states, but is occasionally found in South Dakota.  The Dakotas represent the northwestern boundary of this Anopheles species' territory.  The Anopheles quadrimaculatus is the most important vector of malaria in the U.S.  It frequently attacks humans, and is the most common Anopheles species found in houses.  Females are recognized by the presence of 4 dark spots near the center of each wing (see more detailed photos by clicking on species name).
 
 
 
 
 
 

Anopheles walkeri
Anopheles walkeri resemble An. quadrimaculatus, but are somewhat darker, have narrow white rings on their palpi, and their wing spots are less pronounced than those of the An. quadrimaculatus.  Anopheles walkeri have white knee spots on the tips of their femurs. This species of Anopheles also closely resembles the An. punctipennis.  A typically rare species, An. walkeri are mainly found from Louisiana to Minnesota (having 4 generations per year in Minnesota) and eastward, but have been found as far west as Nebraska and Kansas.  A small number has been found in eastern South Dakota.  An. walkeri breeds in freshwater marshes containing aquatic vegetation and constant water levels. Larvae of this species are often found in sunny marshes or along the edges of lakes; however, they are unable to survive in water which is not kept at a constant level.  This species’ habitats include deep woods by damp logs above water levels; dense strands of cutgrass; damp barns; under bridges; near mud and in spring houses. Females feed on humans and are vicious biters that bite in the evening and long after dusk. Although specimens have been infected with malaria parasites, this species is not known to be a transmitter of malaria under natural conditions.
 
 

Genus Coquillettidia
At first glance, this genus resembles a Culex type mosquito (e.g. lacks cerci). Coquillettidia can be identified by the rounded abdomen, broad wing scales, lack of post-spiracular setae, and a pale band on hind tibia one. This genus has drab coloration, usually brown, white, black, or yellow combinations. They are attracted to light traps with or without CO2, and readily enter houses to prey on humans. Coquillettidia has a wide population distribution, but the majority of this genus is found in the eastern United States.
 

Coquillettidia perturbans
Coquillettidia perturbans is the only species of this genus found in South Dakota and produces only one generation per year. This species is found more commonly in the eastern and southern states, but is also present in small numbers in the Great Plains, Rocky Mountain states and along the Pacific coast. The larval habitat is freshwater permanent ponds, lakes and marshes in areas with emergent vegetation. Larvae attach to underwater roots and stems and use an adapted siphon to obtain oxygen through the vegetation. The larvae can also breathe from the surface and absorb oxygen dissolved in water. One of the unusual characteristics of the Coquillettidia perturbans is the two large air bladders the larvae possess in their thorax and first abdominal segment. These air bladders allow this species to store air underwater for long periods of time. Adult females are often vicious biters and will bite during the daytime in shady, humid places, however, feeding spikes at dusk and after midnight. This species is a strong flier and will fly several miles to find hosts. Coquillettidia perturbans is a rather large, brown and pale speckled mosquito with characteristic pale bands at about the outer third of both the hind femur and the hind tibia. This species has been identified as a vector for eastern equine encephalitis.
 

Genus Culex
Members of the Culex genus have rounded abdomens and no post-spiracular bristles.  About 30 species of Culex have been described from the United States, but only 12 of those are at all common.  They can be important pest mosquitoes that also transmit diseases.  Females are most active at night.  The larval stage of this genus can be found in quiet waters of almost all types, from that in artificial containers to large bodies of permanent water.  Water with moderate to large amounts of organic material, including sewage, is often a favorite habitat for larvae.
 
 

Culex erraticus
Not much is known about the biology of Culex erraticus.  It is found mainly in the southeastern United States.  It overwinters as an adult female and lays its eggs on the leaves of aquatic plants in permanent water.  It primarily feeds on birds, but will bite humans.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Culex pipiens (Northern House Mosquito)
Culex pipiens is small or medium in size with brown or yellowish coloration. Some of the identifying marks of this species are narrow well defined pale bands at the base of the abdominal segments; unbanded legs and proboscis and unspotted wings. The most common house mosquito throughout the northern states, their distribution ranges from the northern Atlantic region westward to Illinois.  They are considered non-migratory and have a limited flight range. Unlike other mosquitoes which enter houses through doorways, Cu. pipiens will work their way through crevices, around windows and through screens to get into houses. This mosquito species can breed easily around human habitats because the larvae can develop in a very wide variety of water containers.  Like other species in the Culex genus, the female hibernates through the winter. Hibernation begins before the breeding season ends, the impregnated female winters in dark places blocked from the wind (e.g., barns, outbuildings and cellars). This species will lay their eggs in early spring and have numerous generations per year but the generations overlap so much that you cannot tell them apart. The eggs have a sticky coating and are laid in a canoe shaped floating raft with a single layer of erect eggs laid side by side. Eggs typically hatch at night and only require around 24 hours for the larva to develop within the egg and hatch.  The primary host for this species is birds, mammals are secondary hosts.
 
 
 
 

Culex restuans
The appearance, habits, and distribution of Culex restuans is somewhat similar to that of Cx. pipiens. Culex restuans has two silvery dots on the scutum that are not present on Cx. pipiens, and there are also slight differences in the abdominal banding appearance between the two species.  Culex restuans is found in all states east of the Rocky Mountains, but is more rural in distribution than is Cx. pipiens.  The degree to which this species feeds on humans is still somewhat controversial.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Culex salinarius
This species occurs throughout South Dakota, but is not considered a serious pest mosquito.  The females of this species are covered by narrow, golden-brown scales.  The abdomen is blunt and the proboscis is dark-scaled.  The legs are dark and the posterior surfaces of the tibia and femur are pale.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Culex tarsalis
Culex tarsalis is widely distributed west of the Mississippi River, and therefore found throughout South Dakota.  Females feed mainly on birds, but will also attack humans and domesticated animals. They are most active at dusk, and will enter buildings in search of a blood meal.  Adult females can hibernate in the northern United States, and larvae are produced from early spring until late fall.  Culex tarsalis is larger than Ae. vexans and is pale brown in color. Culex tarsalis is characterized by a broad white band on the proboscis and apical and basal white bands on the tarsi.  A small white dot is present on either side of the central area of the dorsal side of the thorax.  From each dot, extends a narrow submedian white line to the near posterior margin of the mesonotum.  Members of the genus Culex are the primary vectors for the West Nile Virus.  A close relative of the Cx. tarsalis, the Cx. pipiens, is the primary carrier of the West Nile Virus along the eastern half of the United States.  Culex tarsalis is a very common mosquito in most states west of the Mississippi, and is considered to be the most important vector of viral encephalitis to horses and humans in the western states.  West Nile Virus has been isolated from pools of  Cx. tarsalis from South Dakota, and this species will very likely be the predominant vector for this virus throughout the western states. The larval habitat of this species differs considerably from that of Cx. pipiens, and control measures designed to control Cx pipiens will not likely work effectively for Cx tarsalis.
 
 

Culex territans
The Culex territans is distributed from southern Canada southward to Oregon and all over the United States east of the Rockies.  Adults have been documented to withstand winter temperatures in natural sites of -18 F and below without injury.  This species has several generations each season and develops continuously in the southern part of the range.  The females of this species will typically feed on any small animals inhabiting their grassy resting sites.  The Culex territans has been observed feeding on bullfrogs, water rats, and other small animals.  This species is similar to the Culex pipiens and Culex restuans in color and size, it can be differentiated from these species by its abdominal markings.
 
 
 
 
 

Genus Culiseta
The appearance and habitat of this genus are similar to that of Culex.  There are 8 species of this genus in the United States, with 5 species being rather widespread.  They are generally unimportant as pests.
 

Culiseta inornata
Culiseta inornata is found throughout South Dakota.  Females seem to prefer domesticated animals as the source of blood, but will also feed on humans during the active months of late spring.  Cu. inornata females are very similar to Cx. Tarsalis in size, color, and abdominal shape. Cu. inornata do not have basal white rings on the tarsi and have bristles on the underside of the wing, near the base of the subcostal vein.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Genus Ochlerotatus
Recently, John F. Reinert [Reinert, J.F. 2000. New classification for the composite genus Aedes (Diptera: Culicidae: Aedini), elevation of subgenus Ochlerotatus to generic rank, reclassification of the other subgenera, and notes on certain subgenera and species. J. Amer. Mosq. Contrl. Assoc. 16(3):175-188.] recommended that the genus name for several species of Aedes be changed to Ochlerotatus based upon differences in the appearance of the male and female genitalia, 4th-stage larvae and pupae.  We have chosen to follow this new system of classification for this website.  These insects have a pointed abdomen and cerci that are identical to those found in the genus Aedes.
 

Ochlerotatus (Aedes) canadensis
Ochlerotatus canadensis is found in all but the Southwestern states and most of Canada.  They breed mainly in small, tree-shaded ponds with dead vegetation.  They are aggressive biters, and will attack humans at any time in the shade.  They are not found in high numbers in South Dakota.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Ochlerotatus (Aedes) dorsalis
Ochlerotatus dorsalis is found abundantly in western South Dakota along with Ae. vexans.  It can be differentiated from Ae. vexans by the yellowish-white scales covering their body. These mosquitoes are known for their incredible migration distances of 20-30 miles. This ferocious biter mainly feeds on humans or domestic animals, but will also feed on sizable birds when necessary. Most of the Ochlerotatus dorsalis' biting occurs on muggy days, but they will also bite during the night-time.
 
 
 
 
 

Ochlerotatus (Aedes) fitchii
Ochlerotatus fitchii females are medium-sized mosquitoes that are brown and yellowish-white in color.  Ochlerotatus fitchii ranges throughout the northern United States and Southern portion of Canada (from Maine to New Jersey on the eastern seaboard, west to northern Nevada and north into British Columbia).
 
 
 
 

Ochlerotatus (Aedes) flavescens

Ochlerotatus flavescens are very rare mosquitoes in South Dakota, and is not a pest to man.  It is found mainly in prairie areas, and has been known to feed on livestock.  This species overwinters as eggs.

Ochlerotatus (Aedes) sollicitans
(Saltmarsh Mosquito)
Larvae of the Ochlerotatus sollicitans are more typically found in salt marshes in coastal areas, however, they can also develop in more inland areas associated with brackish water swamps.  The adult females are good fliers, and often travel 5-10 miles from their source.  They are persistent "biters", but usually do not invade houses.  Adult females of this species can be recognized by the golden color of the upper thorax with a white longitudinal stripe, banded proboscis and banded legs.  The abdomen has yellowish brown scales.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Ochlerotatus (Aedes) triseriatus (Eastern Treehole Mosquito)
Ochlerotatus triseriatus is widely distributed east of the Rocky Mountains and inhabits all of the Southeastern States. This common woods species is identified by the silvery-white scales on the sides of the thorax and unbanded legs and proboscis. Although breeding does occur to some extent in water barrels and other artificial water containers, primary breeding occurs in tree holes. Adult mosquitoes will not venture further than necessary from their larval sites. Oc. triseriatus survives the winter in the egg stage in regions of ice formation; eggs are laid under water or in areas where water will occur in early spring. This species is typically considered a troublesome biter in wooded areas and will readily attack humans.
 
 
 
 

Ochlerotatus (Aedes) trivittatus
This species of Ochlerotatus is widely distributed throughout the northern United States, except for the Pacific Northwest.  Larvae are often hard to find because they spend extended times hiding at the bottom of the pool.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Genus Orthopodomyia
Mosquitoes of this genus have rounded abdomens and many lines and patches of narrow white scales.  They prefer to lay their eggs in tree holes, bamboo stems, and artificial containers.  They are generally rare, and are not a pest mosquito.  Most species of Orthopodomyia are found in the oriental and neotropical regions, and only a few species are found farther north.
 

Orthopodomyia signifera
Orthopodomyia signifera is found in most of the eastern United States, and parts of the southwest, but is extremely rare in South Dakota.  It inhabits tree holes and artificial water sources, preferring clear water. Although it is not known for sure, signifera probably overwinters as larvae.  It is not known to feed on humans.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Genus Psorophora
There are 15 species of Psorophora in the United States, most of which, are located in the southern and eastern states.  Members of this genus are usually fierce biters, and the preferred habitat of the larval stage is quite similar to that of many Aedes species.  Like the Aedes genus, the Psorophora genus has a pointed abdomen.  Psorophora have long bristles on the tibia of the hind leg.  This distinquishes them from Aedes.
 

Psorophora ciliata (Gallinipper)
This species is found throughout the eastern part of the United States from Mexico to Canada.  Its large size and vicious bite make this species a very annoying mosquito.  Females are very large, brownish-yellow, and have obvious scales on the hind tibia.  Larvae are found in temporary pools, and feed on other insects including other mosquito larvae.  The biology of the egg stage is similar to that of the Aedes species.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Psorophora cyanescens
The Psorophora cyanescens is a very attractive mosquito with blue bands on its abdomen and entirely black tarsi.  It is found in southern states north into Illinois and Indiana, and is abundant in Oklahoma. Psorophora cyanescens has been found in small numbers in Nebraska.  This species had not been described previously in South Dakota, but several have been found in the southeastern corner of the state.  The prefered breeding site for this species is temporary rain pools.
 
 
 
 
 

Psorophora signipennis
Psorophora signipennis is found in the central United States from Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona, to North Dakota and Montana, and into Saskatchewan.  They are not very numerous in South Dakota. Psorophora signipennis prefers arid plains, where they breed in temporary pools, or dried up stream beds.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Genus Uranotaenia
This genus is cosmopolitan and is particularly abundant in Africa and Australasian regions. Little is known about this genus, even the more prevalent species, other than general observations. The larvae often escape detection in random sampling due largely to their habit of secreting themselves. The larvae have even been known to burrow themselves into mud for long periods of time. Adults prefer moist, well shaded areas especially those with overhanging grasses or covered in moss.
 

Uranotaenia sapphirina
Uranotaenia sapphirina is a very small mosquito that is generally associated with permanent and semi-permanent ponds that support rich stands of emergent and floating vegetation.  This mosquito is found throughout the eastern part of the United States, and the Dakotas represent the western edge of its distribution.