Aedes japonicus (Theobald)

Comparison of Larval Characters of Exotic and Native Stegomyia/Ochlerotatus Mosquitoes in New Jersey  


Jamesina Scott, Mosquito Research and Control, Dept Entomology.

(Jamie is now at Lake County Mosquito Control, California)

 Figures (photos) are shown below table.


Exotic Aedes mosquitoes

Native Aedes mosquitoes 

Ae. albopictus

Ae. japonicus

Ae. atropalpus

Ae. triseriatus

Upper & lower head hairs

Single (upper head hair may be double or triple) and in a box arrangement

morphcomp1

Multiple and in a straight line (Fig. 1)

 

morphcomp2

Single and in a box arrangement. (Fig. 2)

 

morphcomp1

Single (upper head hair rarely double) and in a box arrangement

 

morphcomp1

Anal gills

Equal and blunt (sausage-shaped)

Equal and tapering

Equal and tapering

Unequal and blunt

Anal saddle

Smooth

(Fig. 4)

Conspicuously spiculated

 

(Fig. 3)

Smooth or weakly speculated.

(Fig. 4)

Smooth

(Fig. 4)

Lateral hair
  • Originates on the anal saddle.
  • Usually double (rarely 3-5 forked).
  • About equal to the length of segment X.
  • Originates on the anal saddle.
  • Single (rarely double).
  • Longer than the length of segment X
  • Does not originate on the anal saddle.
  • Single.
  • Shorter than the length of segment X
  • Originates on the anal saddle.
  • Multiple.
  • Shorter than the length of segment X
Comb scales Aligned in a single, neat row In a patch In a patch In a single, or partly double row.  Never aligned in a neat row.
Siphonal tuft
  • Usually 2-4 branched.
  • Inserted beyond row of pecten teeth
  • Tuft (4-7 branched).
  • Inserted within row of pecten teeth
  • Tuft (4-9 branched).
  • Inserted within row of pecten teeth
  • Single, double, or rarely triple.
  • Inserted beyond row of pecten teeth

 

Figure 1. The upper and lower head hairs of Aedes japonicus larvae are multiple (tufts) and arranged in a straight line.

Aedes japonicus

fig1
Figure 2. The upper and lower head hairs of Aedes atropalpus larvae are single hairs that are arranged in a "box-like" formation.

Aedes atropalpus

fig2
Figure 3. A spiculated anal saddle.

Aedes japonicus

fig3
Figure 4. A smooth anal saddle.

Aedes atropalpus

fig4

 


Center for Vector Biology