Mosquitoes that impact the quality of life in Suffolk County or are disease vectors include the following species:

1. Aedes vexans
2. Anopheles punctipennis
3. Anopheles quadrimaculatus
4. Coquillettidia perturbans
5. Culex pipiens
6. Culex restuans
7. Culex salinarius
8. Culiseta melanura
9. Ochlerotatus canadensis
10. Ochlerotatus cantator
11. Ochlerotatus japonicus
12. Ochlerotatus sollicitans
13. Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus
14. Ochlerotatus triseriatus
15. Ochlerotatus trivittatus
    

Aedes vexans is a multivoltine, freshwater, desiccation tolerant mosquito. Although classified as a freshwater mosquito, it will breed in salt marshes, although it prefers less salty water than Oc. sollicitans does. Ae. vexans is an aggressive biting mosquito that also can fly large distances from its breeding place. It broods tend not to emerge as frequently as Oc. sollicitans broods do, and occur in response to rainfall or river flooding. It is a potential vector for EEE and WNV, and can cause be a significant nuisance to humans. Its salt marsh habitats can be addressed through water management; larvicides and adulticides are also used to control it.

Anopheles punctipennis larvae favor fresh water swamps, ditches, and slow moving streams. The larvae will lay on the water's surface early in their development. Adult Anopheles punctipennis feed on mammals and birds, and primarily during dusk.

Anopheles quadrimaculatus is the northeastern model species for a group of mosquitoes that hibernate as mated females and deposit non-desiccation resistant eggs in freshwater swamps and bogs. The members of this life cycle type typically replace the bog breeding univoltine aedines in the Oc. abserratus life cycle type as the season advances. Typical breeding habitat supports abundant aquatic vegetation at that time of year. Larvae from this group do not appear until nighttime temperatures allow the hibernating adults to exit hibernaculae, seek hosts and oviposit. Larval populations are typically sparse in late spring, build progressively during the summer and do not peak until mid-summer or early fall.

Coquillettidia perturbans is a univoltine, fresh water, desiccation intolerant mosquito. Its larvae attach themselves to the roots of emergent vegetation, making larval surveillance and control exceptionally difficult. The mosquito overwinters in various stages of larval development. It appears to generate broods, but multiple emergences from freshwater swamps signal the timing associated with the different instars of the overwintering larvae. This species is an aggressive avian biter, and is the typical bridge vector for EEE. It can travel several miles in search of a blood meal. Its habitat characteristics dictate control by larvicides or adulticides.

Culex pipiens and Culex restuans, despite being different species, are difficult to differentiate, and so are often grouped as “Culex spp.” These mosquitoes are multivoltine, fresh water (polluted water required), desiccation tolerant mosquitoes. They are not aggressive feeders on humans, and apparently prefer to feed on birds. They breed primarily in backyard environments, and do not travel far. They will also breed in drainage structures, septic ditches, and organically polluted ponds or puddles. Culex spp. is thought to be the prime WNV vector in Suffolk County, and may be a vector for EEE. Control of these mosquitoes is best addressed by eliminating its habitat. Larvicides can be effective when the larval habitats can be identified, but not removed; however, these sites are frequently too numerous to ensure that all, or most, are treated. Aerial insecticide applications are another viable control option.

Culex salinarius is a serious pest and potential disease vector in much of the northeast but lack of suitable habitat reduces its pest status in Suffolk County. Considerable salt marsh habitat is available in the county but the brackish water impoundments that this species prefers are less common and appear to be limiting population abundance. West Nile virus has been isolated from Cx. salinarius with some frequency in the northeast and the species is thought to be the primary bridge vector to humans in New York City. Although Cx. salinarius is not regarded as one of the top 10 mosquito pests in Suffolk County, it should be closely monitored and controlled as a potential disease vector.

Culiseta melanura is a multivoltine, freshwater, desiccation intolerant mosquito whose larvae overwinter in cedar and red maple swamps. This mosquito only feeds on birds. It is an important amplifier of EEE in bird populations, such that the rate of infected birds becomes high enough to increase the likelihood that a bridge vector mosquito will transmit the disease to humans. These mosquitoes are difficult to control through larvicides, due to their larval habitat being among tree roots and frequent association with protected species. They are controlled with adulticides when the threat of EEE is particularly high.

Ochlerotatus canadensis emerges in early spring, but may have additional broods in the
summer; it is a freshwater, desiccation tolerant mosquito. It does not venture far from its larval habitat, but has been described as a fierce biting mosquito. Its indiscriminant feeding habits make it a potential late-season EEE vector, although its early emergence usually mitigates this. It is largely controlled by larvicide applications, but it is targeted with adulticides if EEE is a concern.

Ochlerotatus cantator is a multivoltine, salt water and desiccation tolerant mosquito. Its largest broods generally emerge from the upland edge of a salt marsh in the springtime. Therefore, it is unlikely to be a vector for EEE, and it may not be an effective transmitter of WNV. It is an aggressive human feeder, and has a substantial range. Control measures for Oc. sollicitans generally address this species.

Ochlerotatus japonicus is an invasive species that shares many lifestyle characteristics with O. triseriatus. It has been found with WNV and is capable of transmitting the virus. It is difficult to sample and does not appear to be particularly aggressive, but it is widespread in Suffolk County. Its importance, or lack thereof, as a vector is not yet understood. It is not known to be an EEE vector.

Ochlerotatus sollicitans is a multivoltine, salt water and desiccation-tolerant mosquito. It is a persistent and aggressive feeder on humans. It has been shown to be a carrier of EEE and WNV. Salt marshes can produce very large broods of Oc. sollicitans, usually after a higher than normal tide in summer. The female’s range for a meal has been reported as 10 miles or more, but is usually within two miles, of her hatching point, and generally does not cross water bodies. After her first meal, this range is generally restricted to half a mile. This species will bite day or night, further increasing its tendency to bite. Control of this mosquito is intended to reduce major impacts on the outdoors lifestyle of residents in shoreline communities, and to ensure it does not become a bridge vector for EEE and WNV. Control measures include salt marsh water management, larvicides, and adulticides.

Ochlerotatus taeniorhynchus is a multivoltine, salt water and desiccation tolerant mosquito. Its broods can be large enough, and it is aggressive enough of a human feeder, that it can cause more of a nuisance than Oc. sollicitans at certain times. It appears to be capable of being a vector for EEE or WNV. Control measures for Oc. sollicitans generally address this species.

Ochlerotatus triseriatus is a multivoltine, freshwater (prefers polluted water), desiccation
tolerant mosquito. It typically uses abandoned tires (the anthropogenic equivalent to natural tree holes) as habitat. It is an aggressive daytime biter, and so is not caught in traps. It does not fly far from its breeding points. It is a potential EEE and WNV vector. Elimination of habitat is the primary means of control.

Ochlerotatus trivittatus has a life-style akin to Ae. vexans, and so is a multivoltine, desiccation tolerant mosquito. It breeds in freshwater environments, and is especially common in recharge basins that retain water intermittently. It is thought to be a potential vector of WNV, but not of EEE. It is an aggressive biter of people, but has a short flight range. It can be controlled through water management, fish stocking, and larvicide applications in the recharge basins.