Are There Mosquitoes of No Known Public Health Importance?
Yes, females of a few Indiana species either do not take blood meals (Toxorhynchites) or do not feed on humans. Surprisingly little is known about the feeding behavior of species of Orthopodomyia, Uranotaenia, and Wyeomyia mosquitoes, but none are considered to be of concern to public health. ARE THERE EXOTIC MOSQUITOES OF PUBLIC HEALTH IMPORTANCE THAT HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO INDIANA?Yes, two species from Asia, Aedes albopictus (Fig. 1a), the Asian tiger mosquito, and Ochlerotatus japonicus (Fig. 1b) are established in certain areas of Indiana. Larvae of both species develop in container habitats, including discarded tires, and females are aggressive biters of humans. Both species are vectors of viruses in other parts of the world and are assumed to be in Indiana. The Indiana State Department of Health is monitoring them.Figure 1a. Aedes albopictus (Asian tiger mosquito) female.(Photo Credit: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention/James Gathany)Figure 1b. Ochlerotatus japonicus fem
