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Why is this Mosquito Important?
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Culex pipiens is usually the most common pest mosquito in urban and suburban settings |
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Culex pipiens is an indicator of polluted water in the immediate vicinity |
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Culex pipiens is recognized as the primary vector of St. Louis encephalitis (SLE) |
Where does this Mosquito normally lay its Eggs?
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In tin cans, buckets, discarded tires and other artificial containers that hold stagnant water |
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In untended bird baths, clogged rain gutters and plastic wading pools that hold stagnant water |
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In storm drains and catch basins in urban areas |
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In septic seepage and other foul water sources above or below ground level |
How does this Mosquito Overwinter?
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The last generation of adult females mate and build fat body by feeding on carbohydrates |
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Mated females find refuge in culverts, basements and protected areas that stay above freezing |
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The body metabolism slows considerably and winter is spent in a state of torpor |
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Females that survive the winter blood feed in spring and lay eggs that produce the summer populations |
What is this Mosquito’s Range of Blood Meal Hosts?
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Culex pipiens is normally considered to be a bird feeder |
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Some urban strains have a predilection for mammalian hosts and feed readily on humans |
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Most populations probably contain individuals that accept blood from mammals as well as birds |
What Role does this Mosquito play in the Transmission of St. Louis Encephalitis?
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SLE is a natural infection found in a variety of wild birds |
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Culex pipiens can function as a vector and pass the virus from one bird to the next |
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If virus is introduced to an urban setting, Culex pipiens can amplify the infection in urban birds |
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House Sparrows, an introduced species, circulate exceptionally high levels of SLE when they become infected |
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Culex pipiens that bite infected birds acquire the virus and are capable of passing it on to humans |
Prepared by: Wayne J. Crans, Mosquito Research & Control, Rutgers University
Return to SLE/West Nile Links Page at New Jersey Mosquito Website
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