Mosquitoes of Wisconsin
Wisconsin is home to at least 56 species of mosquitoes. Many of these are never found biting people. Some prefer birds or amphibians. Among those that feed on mammals, the white-tailed deer can be a favorite host. The table below has a list of all those species.
| Species | Common Name | Pest Status |
|---|---|---|
| Aedes cinereus | Occasional pest | |
| Aedes vexans | Inland Floodwater Mosquito | Very frequent pest in large numbers; all season; increases with rain |
| Anopheles barberi | Treehole breeder; larvae are predaceous | |
| Anopheles crucians | Breeds in semipermanent and permanent pools, ponds, lakes and swamps. | |
| Anopheles earlei | Breeds in cold, clear water in ponds and other small bodies of water that contain vegetation. | |
| Anopheles punctipennis | Woodland Malaria Mosquito | Jamestown canyon virus; most common Anopheles; common in swampy or boggy areas |
| Anopheles quadrimaculatus | Common Malaria Mosquito | Common Anopheles species, Historical vector of malaria in Wisconsin |
| Anopheles walkeri | Breeds in freshwater swamp habitats. | |
| Coquillettidia perturbans | Salt and Pepper Mosquito | Very common pest species; associated with cattails. Sometimes called the cattail mosquito. |
| Culex erraticus | Larvae found in grassy shallow margins of ponds, lakes, marshes, and streams. | |
| Culex pipiens | Northern House Mosquito | Vector of West Nile Virus. Larvae found in catch basins, ditches, containers, untended swimming pools, and many other locations. |
| Culex restuans | White Dotted Mosquito | Vector of West Nile virus between birds |
| Culex salinarius | Uncommon; susceptible to extreme cold. Larvae tolerate brackish water. | |
| Culex tarsalis | Western Encephalitis Mosquito | Uncommon. This mosquito is an important vector of West Nile virus in western Iowa and western Minnesota. Larvae are associated with irrigated agricultural lands. |
| Culex territans | Feeds on frogs | |
| Culiseta impatiens | Northern range (Michigan, Wisconsin). Associated with roadside ditches in Illinois. | |
| Culiseta inornata | Winter mosquito | This species is generally found in ground pools but may occur in artificial containers. Some typical sources for these larvae are ditches, canals, rain ponds and irrigation and tail water impoundments. |
| Culiseta melanura | Black tailed mosquito | Favors acid waters. Tamarack, conifer, cedar and red maple swamps. Overwinters as larvae and adults are usually early season. Not attracted to mammals; important vector of EEE between birds. |
| Culiseta minnesotae | Sedge & cattail marsh. | |
| Culiseta morsitans | Semi-permanent woodland swamps containing tussocks of sedge grasses. Closely resembles Cs minnesotae. | |
| Aedes abserratus | Marshes, cattails, natural and cranberry bogs. Early season. | |
| Aedes atropalpus | Rock-pool Mosquito | Warmest rocks in middle of streams |
| Aedes aurifer | ||
| Aedes campestris | ||
| Aedes canadensis | Common in spring; woodland pest species | |
| Aedes communis | ||
| Aedes decticus | ||
| Aedes diantaeus | ||
| Aedes dorsalis | Pale Marsh Mosquito | |
| Aedes euedes | ||
| Aedes excrucians | ||
| Aedes fitchii | ||
| Aedes flavescens | ||
| Aedes grossbecki | Rare; Only 1 specimen recorded; early season species, common in Chicago | |
| Aedes hendersoni | Another treehole breeder | |
| Aedes implicatus | ||
| Aedes intrudens | ||
| Aedes japonicus | Asian rock-pool mosquito | An invasive species in Wisconsin, 1st detected in mid 2000’s, now widespread. |
| Aedes nigromaculis | ||
| Aedes pionips | ||
| Aedes provocans | ||
| Aedes punctor | ||
| Aedes riparius | ||
| Aedes sollicitans | Eastern Salt Marsh Mosquito | |
| Aedes spencerii | ||
| Aedes sticticus | Floodwater mosquito | |
| Aedes stimulans | Woodland Mosquito | Can be locally common in some woodlots; pest especially in spring |
| Aedes triseriatus | Eastern Tree Hole Mosquito | Vector of LaCrosse encephalitis virus; treeholes, tires, cans, and small containers as breeding sites |
| Aedes trivittatus | Plains floodwater mosquito | Very common pest species; high numbers; especially after rains |
| Orthopodomyia alba | Not a mammal feeder | |
| Orthopodomyia signifera | Not a mammal feeder | |
| Psorophora ciliata | Gallinipper (unofficial) | Very large mosquito; Southern Wisconsin |
| Psorophora ferox | Woodland Mosquito | Purplish color on abdomen |
| Psorophora horrida | ||
| Psorophora mathesoni | ||
| Uranotaenia sapphirina | Sapphire striped mosquito | Very small; Has iridescent blue scales; not known to bite humans; feed on reptiles and amphibians |
| Wyeomyia smithii | Pitcherplant Mosquito | Associated with bogs; does not bite humans or livestock |