Ag Line: Test Your Mosquito I.Q.
By Wade Parker County Extension Coordinator

Asian Tiger Mosquito

This year has not been a real problematic year for mosquito problems. However, many homeowners live in areas that are wet, or stay wet for a prolonged period of time. I was visiting a friend this past weekend in a neighboring town whose property contained a drainage ditch in the backyard. As we were talking, I started feeling bites on my arms. As I walked closer to the drainage ditch, it was obvious that the mosquito population was very high! The following is a true/false fact sheet about mosquitoes from UGA. I found it very interesting, and I hope you do too.

Increased humidity and moisture caused by frequent afternoon thunderstorms, coupled with August heat, make conditions perfect for outbreaks of mosquitoes including the Asia tiger mosquito. Test your mosquito IQ by answering the fol- lowing questions.

1. Mosquitoes only come out at night?

2. Mosquitoes are worse now than they were 30 years ago?

3. Some people never get bitten by mosquitoes, having a natural immunity to them?

4. The lifespan of a mosquito is only a few days?

5. Mosquito eggs can live for 20 years?

ANSWERS

1. FALSE. The Asian tiger mosquito, which appeared in Georgia in the mid-90s, is a dreaded day biter.

2. FALSE. Mosquitoes have long been a threat to humanity, spreading deadly diseases such as yellow fever, malaria and encephalitis.

3. FALSE. While it is true that mosquitoes prefer some people to others and some are even attracted to their victims by the smell of their feet, it is not likely that some people are fortunate enough to go through life unbitten by mosquitoes.

4. TRUE. Dehydration is the typical cause of death of mosquitoes. Because they are so small, mosquitoes can quickly dehydrate or dry out. Increased humidity helps them live longer.

5. TRUE. Mosquitoes have been known to lay eggs in the desert that survive for years, until some water enters the environment and allows them to hatch.

SOURCES: The University of Georgia Department of Entomology; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Andrew Spelman, Harvard

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