Mosquitos

Mosquitoes are well known by most people because of their pesky biting habit. Of greater concern, they are very important as vectors of numerous human diseases such as malaria, yellow fever, filriasis, dengue, and encephalitis. Mosquitoes are distributed throughout the world, including the United States. This list is limited to mosquito species common to the Southeast Texas, Southwest Louisiana, Gulf Coast region.

Asian Tiger Mosquito

Asian tiger or forest day mosquito. Aedes albopictus (Skuse). Adult dark to black with silvery white markings, identifying marks include dorsum of thorax with a single median silver-white stripe, tarsal segments ringed with white, and abdominal segments with a narrow dorsal white basal band; wing length about 1/8" (3.5 mm); breed in artificial containers; found in eastern, midwestern, and southern United States. The Asian Tiger and Southern House mosquito have both been identified as carriers of the West Nile Virus. Biology Mosquitoes are commonly separated into 3 groups based on where … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Disease Carriers, Flying Pests, Mosquitos, Stinging & Biting pests

Southern House Mosquito

Southern house mosquito, Culex quinquefasciatus Say. Adults similar in almost all respects to C. pipiens except abdominal basal white bands narrowly joined or disconnected from lateral patches; breeding sites similar to those of C. pipiens; occurs throughout the southern states and as far north as Nebraska, Iowa, Illinois, and Ohio. The Asian Tiger and Southern House mosquito have both been identified as carriers of the West Nile Virus. Biology Mosquitoes are commonly separated into 3 groups based on where and how their eggs are laid. After a blood meal, the female will lay her eggs: (1) … [Read more...]

Filed Under: Disease Carriers, Flying Pests, Mosquitos, Stinging & Biting pests

Formosan Termites are Swarming!

Formosan Termites

(Coptotermes formosanus) Swarming usually follows a warm rainy day in late spring/summer and occurs in the evening hours, starting at sundown and ending before midnight. The swarmers are attracted to lights. Formosans do have the capability of establishing secondary nests above ground if a constant moisture supply is available. An above ground nest is made of material called carton. It consists of soil and wood cemented together with saliva and feces. Suspended colonies of Formosan termites are more often encountered than the Native Eastern Subterranean termites.
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