23 Mosquito Species of Contra Costa County

 
Genus, species  Common Name Larval habitat Biting Behavior Time of day Peak Season Flight range Medical Importance
               
Anopheles franciscanus  none shallow sunlit pools with algae large mammals dusk and dawn summer < 1 mile occasional pest
Anopheles freeborni  Western malaria mosquito rice fields; clear sunlit seepages with algae large mammals, humans dusk and dawn summer 10 miles malaria vector
Anopheles occidentalis  none ponds, creeks, seepages large mammals dusk and dawn summer unknown no known significance
Anopheles punctipennis  Woodland malaria mosquito cool shaded grassy pools, streams, creeks large mammals, humans dusk and dawn summer > 1 mile malaria vector
Aedes dorsalis  none Coastal salt marshes, inland alkaline areas large mammals, humans day and night summer, fall < 10 miles Secondary CE & WEE vector, localized pest
Aedes melanimon  none Duck club ponds, irrigated pastures and fields large mammals, humans dusk and day summer, fall > 10 miles Primary CE vector, secondary WEE vector, possible WNV vector, major pest
Aedes nigromaculis  Irrigated pasture mosquito Irrigated pastures and alfalfa fields large mammals, humans dusk and day summer < 20 miles Localized pest
Aedes sierrensis  Western tree hole mosquito Tree holes, tires and other man-made containers small mammals, humans dusk and day spring < 1 mile Dog heartworm vector, localized pest
Aedes squamiger  California salt marsh mosquito Coastal salt marshes humans day and dusk winter 10-20 miles Localized pest, possible CE vector
Aedes washinoi  none Rainwater pools large mammals, humans day and dusk spring < 1 mile Localized pest, possible CE vector
Aedes vexans Inland floodwater mosquito Irrigated pastures, riparian pools large mammals, humans day and dusk summer, fall > 10 miles Localized pest, secondary dog heartworm vector, possible WNV vector
Culex erythrothorax Tule mosquito Ponds, lakes, marshes with tules and cattails birds, humans dusk and day (shaded areas) spring, summer, fall < 1 mile Localized pest, secondary WNV vector
Culex apicalis none Creeks, woodland pools birds, reptiles unknown rare unknown no known significance
Culex boharti none Creeks and streams frogs, toads unknown rare unknown no known significance
Culex pipiens Northern house mosquito Polluted water (sewer plants, abandoned pools, catch basins etc) birds, humans night spring, summer, fall < 1 mile Primary WNV vector, secondary SLE vector, localized nuisance
Culex stigmatosoma Banded foul water mosquito Polluted water (sewer plants, dairy sumps etc) birds night rare < 10 miles Secondary WNV and SLE vector
Culex tarsalis Western encephalitis mosquito Widespread in clear water (agricultural areas, untended swimming pools, creeks etc)  birds, mammals, humans night summer, fall 3-15 miles Primary WNV, WEE and SLE vector
Culex territans none Creeks, woodland pools reptiles, amphibians dawn and dusk rare unknown no known significance
Culex thriambus none Rock pools, ponds, hoof prints birds unknown rare unknown no known significance
Culiseta incidens Cool weather mosquito Widespread in natural or manmade sources large mammals, humans night spring, summer, fall < 5 miles Localized pest, possible secondary WNV vector
Culiseta inornata Large winter mosquito Widespread in natural or manmade sources, marshes large mammals, humans night winter < 5 miles Localized pest, possible secondary WNV vector
Culiseta particeps none Creeks, streams, marshes unknown (probably large mammals) night spring unknown no known significance
Orthopodomyia signifera none Tree holes birds unknown rare unknown no known significance
 
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