Eastern tree hole mosquito

Description

Ochlerotatus triseriatus, also known by the synonym Aedes triseriatus, is a member of the true fly order (Diptera: Culicidae). It is called the eastern tree hole mosquito due to its predilection towards breeding in stagnant water that is found in natural holding containers such as tree holes. It is native to the eastern United States and southern Canada and favors hardwood habitats. It has been found as far south as the Florida Keys, as far west as Idaho and Utah, and as far north as Quebec and Ontario. This species has not yet been found in Europe, but it has the potential to spread through international trade. In 2004, it was found in a shipment of tires travelling from Louisiana to France, but it was identified and targeted with insecticides that truncated its spread. It is a known vector of La Crosse encephalitis and canine heartworm disease. In the laboratory, it has been found to vector several other viruses including yellow fever, eastern encephalitis, Venezuelan encephalitis, and western encephalitis. Because of its potential for international spread and its proclivity for transmitting disease, monitoring the distribution of this species is essential. The antennae of these larvae are half the length of the head and are smooth. The antenna setae 1-A are single. Head hair 5 is typically single, and head hair 6 is generally double. Comb scales on the abdomen are in a single irregular row with each comb having a blunt spine evenly fringed with short spinules. The saddle on the anal segment is incomplete, generally extending only three-quarters around the anal segment. The siphonal tuft has two branches. The ventral brush has six pairs of setae, and the dorsal anal gills are longer than the ventral anal gills. O. triseriatus has a dark scaled proboscis that is unbanded, dark palps, dark and narrow wing scales, and dark unbanded legs. The vertex has white scales.One of the most notable characteristics of this species is the scutum that has a median brown stripe of scales with silver white scales on the lateral sides. Both postspiracular and prespiracular setae are present.