Do You Think You Have Mosquitoes?
Don't waste time, book a treatment now with one of our experts.
Common Mosquito & Midge Species
There are many species of mosquitoes and midges, which can be found all around the world. While female mosquitoes are responsible for irritating bites that can carry diseases, many midge species are harmless, though some biting midges can cause significant irritation
Read more about the lifecycles and habits of different types of mosquitoes below.
Malaria Mosquito (Anopheles)
(Anopheles spp.)
In South Africa, Anopheles mosquitoes are the primary malaria vectors, most active during warm, rainy summer months in low-altitude regions of Limpopo, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal (including Kruger National Park). Key species include Anopheles arabiensis and Anopheles funestus. Prevention relies on Indoor Residual Spraying (IRS) and personal protection like nets and repellents.
Appearance
- Adult : pale and dark marks on its wings; rests at a 45-degree angle to the surface.
- Larva: rest parallel to surface of the water.
- Eggs: about 1mm long and has floats on its sides.
Life cycle and habits of the Anopheles Mosquito
Life Cycle
- Development time: Takes 6–10 days to progress from egg to adult.
- Complete metamorphosis – egg, larval, pupa and adult.
Habits
- Habitat: Prefers clean, unpolluted water for breeding.
- Biting & Resting Habits– bite at night and rest indoor and outdoor (depends on species).
- Prefer darker colours.
- Female with one blood meal can lay 50 – 150 eggs.
Aedes Mosquitoes
(Aedes Aegypti)
Aedes mosquitoes transmit major viral infections including Dengue Fever (high fever and severe pain), Zika Virus (birth defects during pregnancy), Chikungunya (persistent joint pain), and Yellow Fever (liver and kidney complications).
Appearance
- Adult: Black and white markings.
- Larval: Rest 45 degree from the surface of the water, breathe through a siphon tube.
- Eggs: Black in colour and oval-shaped like a rugby ball. Drought-resistant and can survive out of water in dry conditions for up to 6–12 months before hatching when flooded.
Life cycle and habits of the Aedes Mosquito
Life Cycle
- Egg to adult stage takes 6 – 8 days.
- Complete metamorphosis – egg, larval, pupa and adult.
Habits
- Habitat – container breeder favouring man-made containers with clean water, stagnant water eg flowerpot saucers, discarded tires
- Prefer darker colours like black and red.
- Weak flyers with a short flight range, typically traveling only 50 to 100 meters from where they hatch.
Culex Mosquito
(Culex tritaeniorhynchus)
Known as the common house mosquito, Culex is a frequent indoor nuisance in South Africa, while usually just an annoying household pest, it is capable of transmitting viral diseases like West Nile virus and Sindbis virus.
Appearance
- Adult:Dull in color with brown scales covering the thorax, legs, and wing veins; features a characteristic blunt-tipped abdomen.
- Larvae: 45 degree from the surface of the water.
- Eggs: Brown, long, and cylindrical; laid vertically on the water surface in raft structures of roughly 300 eggs (rafts measure approximately 3–4 mm long by 2–3 mm wide).
Life cycle and habits of the Culex Mosquito
Life Cycle
- Egg to adult stage takes 6 – 10 days.
- Complete metamorphosis – egg, larval, pupa and adult.
Habits
- Habitat – mainly breed in polluted stagnant water and drains.
- Biting rhythm – bite at night and usually rest indoor before and after the blood meal. Sometimes they may rest outdoor.
- Prefer darker colours.
- Long distance fliers.
Biting Midge
(Culicoides impunctatus)
While biting midges in South Africa are primarily a severe nuisance to horses and farm animals rather than humans, they play a critical role in spreading animal viruses like African Horse Sickness, and Bluetongue in sheep.
Appearance
- Adults:Very tiny insects, typically only 1-3mm long(much smaller than mosquitos)
- Wings: Distinctive mottled wings featuring grey and white patterns.
Life cycle and habits of the Biting Midge
Life Cycle
- Egg Stage: Eggs hatch within 2 to 7 days after being laid in damp soil or mud.
- Larval & Pupal Stages: Development through larval and pupal phases typically takes 2 to 6 weeks depending on temperature and moisture.
- Adult Lifespan: Adults usually live for 10 to 20 days during warm summer months, though under cooler conditions they can survive for up to 3 months
Habits
- Biting Behavior: Females require blood meals to develop eggs; their bites cause sharp pricks followed by intense itching or allergic reactions
- Breeding Habitats: Eggs are laid in damp or muddy environments, such as boggy soil, riverbanks, dung heaps, and standing water.
- Activity: Most active during dusk, dawn, and warm, calm nights.
Non-Biting Midge
(Chironomidae)
Non-biting midge also commonly referred to as a ''muggie'' in South Africa
Appearance
- Adult : Pale green to dark black, characterized by feathery male antennae and an absence of scales or biting mouthparts.
- Larvae: Slender aquatic worms, frequently nicknamed "bloodworms" due to their vivid red, hemoglobin-rich bodies.
- Eggs: Deposited on water surfaces or attached to underwater plants in jelly-like masses.
Life cycle and habits of a Non-biting Midge
Life Cycle
Complete Metamorphosis: The cycle (egg, larva, pupa, and adult) typically takes 2 to 4 weeks to complete, depending on temperature.
Adult Lifespan: Very brief, usually lasting only 3 to 10 days to mate and reproduce.
Habits
Habitat: Larvae develop in freshwater environments such as river mud, lake sediments, garden ponds, and stormwater drains.
Swarming Behavior: Adults form massive, low-flying clouds around outdoor lighting and water bodies, particularly at dawn and dusk.
FAQ'S Species
-
What are the three main species of mosquitoes?
The three primary groups of mosquitoes include:
- Culex (Common House Mosquito): The standard nuisance mosquito found in homes, active mostly at night and breeding in stagnant organic water.
- Aedes: Daytime biters recognised by their distinct black-and-white striped markings, typically breeding in man-made containers around human habitats.
- Anopheles: The species uniquely responsible for carrying malaria, active at night and distinguished by resting at a 45-degree angle to surfaces.
-
What does a malaria mosquito look like?
The Anopheles mosquito is dark brown or black and medium-to-large in size. Its most distinguishing feature is its posture: it rests tilted at a 45-degree angle with its abdomen pointing upward, rather than parallel to the surface. It also features dark spots on its wings and long mouthparts that match the length of its feeding tube.
-
What are the common species of midges?
While there are many species, the primary midges of concern in South Africa include:
- Biting Midges (Culicoides spp.): Known for their irritating, itchy bites, especially during dawn and dusk.
- Non-biting Midges (Family Chironomidae): Sometimes called "lake flies" or "green mosquitoes"; these swarm near water but do not bite or feed on blood.
-
What is the difference between a mosquito and a midge?
Although both are related fly species, they differ in biology and behavior. Mosquitoes typically require stagnant water to breed and possess a sharp proboscis for feeding. In contrast, biting midges breed in moist soil or decaying organic matter. Additionally, midges are substantially smaller, often referred to as "muggies’’
-
What is a green mosquito?
The term "green mosquito" is typically a colloquial name for non-biting midges (specifically from the family Chironomidae). While they can appear in large swarms near water or lights, they do not bite, do not feed on blood, and are not vectors for diseases. They are an important part of the ecosystem, serving as a food source for birds, bats, and fish.