Common Malaria Mosquito
Anopheles quadrimaculatus
The common malaria mosquito is occasionally referenced in the news, but it is not a species found in NYC. It is primarily found in eastern and southeastern states with warmer, more humid climates. Malaria transmission in the U.S. remains extremely rare.
About this species
They are the only species of mosquito that carries malaria. These pests are active throughout the night, although biting is most frequent around dusk and dawn. Common malaria mosquitoes lay their eggs on the surface of stagnant water, often in freshwater bodies such as ponds, streams, birdbaths, kiddie pools, and pet water bowls.
Image by
©Edward McCellan, USCDCP, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons
Prevalence in NYC
If you are experiencing a mosquito problem in the Tri-State area, this species is almost certainly not the cause. It’s more likely to be the northern house mosquito or the Asian tiger mosquito (both of which MMPC targets directly through source reduction and population suppression programs tailored to urban environments).
Identification
Size:
4–5 mm
Color:
Light brown to dark brown
Key ID Features:
- 6 spindly brown legs with lighter spots at the joints.
- Feathery antennae.
- Small head with large compound eyes and a long, needle-like tube.
- Slender body with a long, cylindrical abdomen.
- A distinct resting position with the abdomen pointed up in the air at a 45° angle.
- 1 pair of narrow, membranous wings with 4 dark spots.