Montana Mosquito Surveillance
Anopheles earlei
Species: Anopheles earlei
Importance:
A human biter that has not been incriminated as a vector.
Biology:
This species is found throughout Canadian provinces. In North America it is mostly found east of the Rocky Mountains along the northern tier of states. This species has been collected in traps sites east and west of the Continental Divide in Montana. Females overwinter as non-blood fed nullipars in basements, caves, etc. They emerge in early spring to take a blood meal and oviposit. Eggs are laid individually (i.e. not in rafts) on the surface of permanent or semi-permanent bodies of water with emergent vegetation. The larvae are slow-growing, taking several weeks to mature. An. earlei may have two generations per summer. Adults mate in swarms that form approximately 1 m off the ground. This species will bite man during the day and night and will also invade houses to feed.
Identifying Characteristics:
Maxillary palpi on head as long as proboscis, tip of wing with coppery fringe.