PEST NAME :  MOSQUITOES (Culcidae and Anopheles spp)

SIZE, SHAPE AND COLOUR :  8 to 10mm long. Wingspan 18 to 20mm. Grey black thorax and abdomen. Wings with full vein patterns. Long dark legs. Well developed piercing mouthparts.

BIOLOGY :  Eggs laid on the surface of standing often stagnant water but some species prefer salt and others brackish water. The boat shaped eggs are known as rafts and float horizontally. The larvae hatch and are aquatic coming to the surface to breath.

Larvae moult 4 to 5 times over 4 to 8 weeks. Pupation takes place in the water. Adults hatch a couple of weeks later. Hibernation takes place in late autumn by the females only whilst the males are short lived and die prior to winter.

PREFERRED FOODS :  Males feed on nectar of flowing plants. Females bite animals including man for the blood meal.

HABITAT :   Found throughout the UK and will readily enter buildings attracted by lights and often to seek harbourage, damp alley ways and areas behind buildings in the shade not receiving much sunlight are favoured.  Water butts, guttering and empty containers that fill with water will support breeding colonies.