Scientific name Mansonia Rank Genus | Family Culicidae Tribe Mansoniini Higher classification Mansoniini | |
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Similar Mosquito, Culex, Coquillettidia, Fly, Marsh Mosquitoes | ||
Mansonia mosquitoes are big, black or brown mosquitoes with sparkling on their wings and legs. They breed in ponds and lakes containing certain aquatic plants, especially the floating type like Pistia stratiotes and water hyacinth. The eggs are laid in star-shaped clusters on the undersurface of leaves of these plants. The larvae and pupae are found attached to the rootlets of these plants by their siphon tubes. They obtain their air supply from these rootlets. When about to become adult, these pupae come to the surface of water and the fully formed adults emerge and escape. The control of Mansonoia mosquitoes is easy by removal or destruction of the aquatic host plants by herbicides.
A study published in 2013 determined that the species Mansonia dyari Belkin, Heinemann, and Page should be considered a potential vector of Rift Valley fever virus and would need to be controlled if the virus were introduced into an area where it occurs.
