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