Striped Mosquito
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Scientific Name: Aedes notoscriptus
Size: Total Length 4mm
What does it look like?
The Striped Mosquito appears dark greyish with conspicuous white to yellowish lyre-shaped lines on the dorsal shield (scutum). Legs with pale bands, and proboscis with distinct white central band.
Where is it found?
Throughout coastal and inland mainland Australia,including Tas.
What are its habitats & habits?
Requires small pools of freshwater, including tree hollows, garden ponds, pot plants, bird baths and gutters for larval development, and adults will travel up to 0.4km from the site they develop in. Readily attacks at dawn and dusk, but also in shaded areas during the day, and is a major pest in urban gardens. It is a key vector of dog heartworm, and also a known vector of Ross River virus and Barmah Forest virus, and also found to be able to carry Murray River encephalitis virus in laboratory tests.
This species features in my book A Naturalist’s Guide to the Dangerous Creatures of Australia
