Montana Mosquito Surveillance
Aedes dorsalis
Species: Aedes dorsalis
Importance:
This species can be very annoying to livestock; animals under attack will bunch together for protection. This species has been reported to harbor WEE and WNV but it probably does not play a significant role in disease transmission of these encephalitic viruses.
Biology:
Ae. dorsalis is found throughout most of the US (excluding the southeast) and southern Canada. Eggs are deposited on soil substrate that will be flooded the following spring. Larvae of this species occurs in fresh or somewhat alkaline water. Immature development takes about 10-14 days in the summer months. This is a multi-generation species with the number of broods related to the number of flood events. Adults feed primarily on cattle and secondarily on horses and man. It overwinters in the egg stage. The females are strong fliers, dispersing up to 20 miles or more.
Identifying Characteristics:
Pointed abdomen, pale banding on both sides of leg joints, wing vein C mostly pale-scaled, middle wing vein (Râ‚„â‚Šâ‚…) mostly dark-scaled. Similar to Ae. melanimon.