Species introCountry intro
Eastern Saltmarsh Mosquito - Ochlerotatus sollicitans
We were inundated by these mosquitoes while hiking in a coastal, coniferous forest. They were brutal and swarmed us - at one point, I counted 8 just on my husband's head. They were aggressive and were not deterred by mosquito repellent and protective clothing. Needless to say, it was a very short hike.
Description: Proboscis is dark-scaled and with white band near middle. Palpi are short and dark with a few white scales at the tips. Venter is whitish to pale-yellow scaled, and is speckled with dark scales. Femora and tibiae are dark and liberally speckled with pale scales. Wing length was about 4 mm.
The females are persistent biters and will attack any time during the day or night. They are important vectors of Eastern equine encephalitis.
''Aedes sollicitans'', the eastern saltmarsh mosquito , is a species of mosquito native to the eastern seaboard of the United States and Canada as well as the entire Gulf coast and is also present in the Bahamas and Greater Antilles. While primarily found in coastal areas within a few miles of the coast, it is occasionally found inland in areas with saline pools, the species was reported as far west as Arizona. The species is a prime vector for Eastern equine encephalitis, Venezuelan equine encephalitis.. more
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