Yellow Fever Mosquito

When distinguishing the yellow fever mosquito (*Aedes aegypti*) from the Asian tiger mosquito (*Aedes albopictus*) in the field, which characteristic is the deciding detail?

• The presence of white bands at the base of the hind leg segments
• A single straight white stripe running down the center of the thorax
• A set of pale lyre- or violin-shaped scales on top of the thorax ✓
• The mosquito's tendency to bite during the day

Answer: The yellow fever mosquito wears the curved lyre pattern on its thorax; the tiger mosquito shows one straight white stripe down the center.

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According to the provided text, what is the most effective first step for a homeowner to reduce mosquito populations before using chemical treatments?

• Applying adulticides near the home
• Using Bti dunks in all standing water
• Source reduction through eliminating standing water ✓
• Repairing window and door screens

Answer: Eliminating that water is the most effective, least chemical-heavy step, so a single biting mosquito with no larval source found calls for inspection and source reduction first, not blanket spraying.

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In terms of seasonality and temperature, how does the yellow fever mosquito react to cold conditions?

• The mosquito ceases all biological activity immediately.
• Larvae can linger for months in cool conditions. ✓
• The mosquito only breeds in cold, temperate waters.
• The life cycle accelerates to ensure survival.

Answer: Cold slows it sharply: in cool conditions larvae can linger for months, and the drought-hardy eggs wait out dry spells, hatching when warm standing water returns.

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Which of the following is a recognized sign of a yellow fever mosquito presence?

• Bites occurring exclusively at dusk.
• Daytime feeding, especially around the ankles. ✓
• Large swarms of mosquitoes flying above tree canopies.
• Larvae found only in large, permanent lakes.

Answer: The first sign is usually the bite itself: daytime feeding, especially around the ankles, points to this mosquito rather than dusk-biting species.

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When implementing a control program, how should adulticides be utilized according to the text?

• As a primary replacement for larval source reduction.
• As a blanket spray for the entire property.
• As a targeted supplement near homes, not a substitute for source reduction. ✓
• Only when eggs are found in bromeliads.

Answer: Reserve contact adulticides for targeted harborage near homes as a supplement, not a replacement, and pair every treatment with screen repair, repellent guidance, and container removal.

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Which larvicide is recommended for treating water where removal is not possible?

• DEET
• Picaridin
• Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) ✓
• Oil of lemon eucalyptus

Answer: Where water cannot be removed, treat it with a Bacillus thuringiensis israelensis (Bti) larvicide, sold in homeowner formulations such as floating dunks; it targets mosquito larvae specifically and spares people, other animals, and plants.

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Which statement best describes the flight range and habitat preference of the adult yellow fever mosquito?

• They travel long distances to find new breeding sites.
• They stay close to where they hatched, traveling only a few hundred yards. ✓
• They are primarily found in deep forests away from human dwellings.
• They only inhabit permanent water bodies like lakes.

Answer: Adults stay close to where they hatched, traveling only a few hundred yards.

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Where is the most likely location to find mosquito eggs laid by the female *Aedes aegypti*?

• Submerged in the bottom of permanent ponds
• Just above the waterline on damp container walls ✓
• In floating organic matter within standing water
• Deep within soil or leaf litter away from water

Answer: Females lay roughly 100 to 200 eggs per batch and up to five batches in a lifetime, placing them just above the waterline on damp container walls so a later rise in water floods and hatches them.

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