West nile virus cases popping up all over...all these were just one day!

West Nile virus found in East San Jose, spraying to begin Friday San Jose Mercury News SAN JOSE - For the first time, a neighborhood in East San Jose has mosquitoes that tested positive for the West Nile virus and Santa Clara County plans to treat ... See all stories on this topic »
West Nile virus found in Cass County Jamestown Sun Three pools of mosquitoes in Cass County tested positive for West Nile virus Tuesday, Vector Control reported. In response, the cities of Fargo, Moorhead, Minn., ... See all stories on this topic »
West Nile Virus Confirmed in Twin Falls County Twin Falls Times-News TWIN FALLS- South Central Public Health District (SCPHD) officials and the Twin Falls County Pest Abatement District (TFCPAD) have confirmed West Nile ... See all stories on this topic »
West Nile kills first Hoosier of 2013 Southeast Indiana Journal and Courier INDIANAPOLIS — The state's first human case of West Nile virus this year has been reported in southeastern Indiana while mosquitoes in nine counties have ... See all stories on this topic »
West Nile Virus confirmed in Winnebago County The Oshkosh Northwestern The majority of people who are exposed to West Nile Virus do not get sick. Those who do usually experience mild symptoms such as fever, headache, or rash. See all stories on this topic »
West Nile mosquitoes found in two Naperville parks Chicago Daily Herald Tests of mosquito traps at Seager Park, 1163 Plank Road, and Springhill Park, 703 Springhill Circle, found one instance of West Nile virus at each location, ... See all stories on this topic »
West Nile Virus detected in Addison County mosquito pool Mountaintimes LEICESTER - The Vermont Department of Health announced July 22 that West Nile virus was detected in mosquitoes collected on July 10 from a trap in ... See all stories on this topic »
West Nile virus found in mosquitos, birds from Riverside County abc7.com RIVERSIDE, Calif. (KABC) -- The West Nile virus has been found in mosquitos collected from the Nuevo area and San Jacinto, according to the Riverside ... See all stories on this topic »
West Nile virus found in Cass mosquitoes; spraying tonight in FM area In-Forum FARGO – Three pools of mosquitoes that test positive for West Nile virus were found Tuesday in Cass County, the county vector control office reported. See all stories on this topic »
West Nile virus found in Douglas County test pool Nevada Appeal “All horse owners should update their animal's West Nile virus vaccination,” said Dr. Annette Rink, acting state veterinarian and supervisor of the Animal Disease ... See all stories on this topic »

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10 new results for west nile

First human case of West Nile virus reported in Ripley Co. | Fox 59 ... mattadamsfox59 INDIANAPOLIS — Health officials say the first human case of West Nile virus in Indiana has been reported in Ripley County. State health officials are urging ... Fox 59 News - fox59.com
First case of neuroinvasive West Nile Virus reported - WAFB 9 News ... Michael Oliver The first case of West Nile Virus in Louisiana this year has been diagnosed in Caldwell Parish. WAFB - Local News
FIRST HUMAN CASE OF WEST NILE VIRUS REPORTED FOR ... Kathy Bottorff  07/25/13 The first human case of West Nile virus in Indiana has been reported in Ripley County, State health officials announced today.Â... WTCA AM1050 The Chief
First Reported Case Of West Nile For Season In Ripley County ... Network Indiana A person in Ripley County has West Nile Virus, a disease contracted through contact with mosquitos. WFIU Local News Podcast
Person In Ripley County Has West Nile Virus | Indy's News Center ... by Ray Steele - rsteele@wibc.com | @WIBC_RaySteele For the first time in 2013, a person in Indiana has West Nile Virus. An epidemiologist says it isn't time to panic, but says we should do what we can to avoid ... WIBC News
1st human case of West Nile virus reported in ND - Bradenton.com State health officials have confirmed the first human case of West Nile in North Dakota. Bradenton Herald -- Health
West Nile Virus Found in Twin Falls County - News Radio 1310 KLIX Benito Baeza TWIN FALLS, Idaho (KLIX)- Health officials in Southern Idaho say mosquitoes have tested positive for West Nile Virus in Twin Falls County. According to the. 95.7 KEZJ - Southern Idaho's New Country
1st human West Nile infection of 2013 in N.D. confirmed | WDAZ ... BISMARCK, ND -- The first human case of West Nile Virus in North Dakota this year has been confirmed. State health officials are urging people to protect ... Homepage | WDAZ | Grand Forks, ND
Toronto mosquitoes test positive for West Nile Virus | Metro Staff Mosquitoes in Toronto have tested positive for West Nile Virus for the first time this year. Toronto Public Health keeps 43 mosquito traps around the city and ... Metro News

Web	6 new results for west nile

Human West Nile case confirmed in Indiana - WTHI TV 10 Terre Haute In a report sent to News 10, the Indiana State Department of Health has confirmed the first human case of West Nile virus in Indiana. This case has been ... www.wthitv.com/dpp/.../human-west-nile-case-confirmed-in-i...
West Nile found in mosquito sample; Pittsfield will spray - Berkshire ... The Massachusetts Department of Public Health has confirmed the presence of West Nile Virus in a sample of mosquitoes collected in the Pittsfield. www.berkshireeagle.com/.../west-nile-found-mosquito-sample...
First human case of West Nile reported in Indiana - WANE.com INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. (WANE) - Indiana health officials announced Wednesday that the first human case of West Nile virus has been reported in Ripley County, ... www.wane.com/.../first-human-case-of-west-nile-reported-in-i...
Dead birds test positive for West Nile in Neenah - WLUK Fox 11 Two dead crows have tested positive for West Nile virus in Winnebago County. www.fox11online.com/.../dead-birds-test-positive-for-west-nil...
Mosquito with West Nile virus first for Lehigh County in 2013 ... - WFMZ Lehigh County has recorded its first case of West Nile virus this year. www.wfmz.com/news/news...with.../-/index.html
First human case of West Nile virus reported in Ripley Co. | Fox 59 ... INDIANAPOLIS — Health officials say the first human case of West Nile virus in Indiana has been reported in Ripley County. State health officials are urging ... fox59.com/.../first-human-case-of-west-nile-virus-reported-in-...

It’s not the hordes of mosquitoes biting you in the spring that you have to worry about. It’s that old, scraggly mosquito that’s still around in August

 

This summer’s multiple heavy rains have contributed to the number of mosquitoes, but only marginally, McLean said. Each storm typically results in another brood of bugs showing up within a week or two. But, so far at least, we’re within the normal range for hatches.

 

“In a typical summer, we’ll have six to eight broods,” he said. “This year, we’re on our sixth brood. Last year, the rain stopped in late July and everything dried out in August. We don’t know what’s going to happen next.”

 

Because the backlog of hatches has caught up, the worst of the bug baby boom is likely behind us. But those bugs aren’t going away. We’ll merely return to the normal levels.
 

And, as we head into August, we’re in the prime season for the spread of the West Nile virus. “We’re not out of the woods yet,” McLean warned.

 

Mosquitoes that have spent the first part of the summer biting birds — where West Nile originates — spend the last half of the summer biting humans, which is how the disease is passed on.

 

“The typical thinking is that the more bugs that are biting you, the higher your chances are of getting a disease, but that’s not true,” McLean said. “It’s not the hordes of mosquitoes biting you in the spring that you have to worry about. It’s that old, scraggly mosquito that’s still around in August.”

 

That’s why McLean urges people to stay diligent about repelling mosquitoes.

 

“People tend to put on lots of repellent early in the year when the bugs are heavy but then cut back in August,” he said. “Don’t do that.”

 

Last year saw a startling surge in the West Nile virus, with 70 confirmed cases in the state, compared with only two in 2011.

 

With so many variables, experts aren’t predicting how bad the disease might be this year, but they’re thinking that one reason for last year’s surge was the ultra-early spring that resulted in a much longer-than-normal bug season.

 

If that’s the case, there actually might be a silver lining to our long wait for summer this year.

 

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Who Gets More Mosquito Bites Why some people are itching and scratching while others seem unaffected

Why do some people attract mosquito bites more than others? Heidi Mitchell explains on Lunch Break.

It is peak mosquito season, and while some lucky outdoor venturers seem unperturbed by the tiny insects, others appear to be relentlessly assaulted. Scientists are trying to understand what makes certain humans more attractive to the bugs. One expert, molecular vector biologist L.J. Zwiebel, a professor of biological sciences at Vanderbilt University, weighs in.

Sweet Smell of Success

Mosquitoes find their mammalian prey through sensing the heat and carbon dioxide mammals emit. Pregnant women and larger people are sometimes the victim of multiple attacks, since they exert more energy than the average person.

Mosquitoes are also guided by their sense of smell. "Despite what my grandmother told me, I don't have sweet blood," says Dr. Zwiebel, since mosquitoes cannot distinguish blood quality. "Mosquitoes are attracted to our human odor, and that is largely a consequence of the bacteria on our skin," says Dr. Zwiebel. The "flora and fauna on our skin" also smell appetizing to mosquitoes, says Dr. Zweibel, and these can increase when we sweat or spend a lot of time outdoors.

As far as Dr. Zwiebel knows, there is no scientific basis to prove that having high cholesterol or diabetes, despite what some websites claim, will keep bugs away. Nor will taking vitamin B supplements, eating garlic or taking specific medications.

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A culex quinquefasciatus mosquito.

After 20 years in labs with the biting bugs, Dr. Zwiebel says he can stick his arm into a container of mozzies and be bit hundreds of times, yet "not have a hair out of place." Children, who have been bitten far fewer times than adults, may have stronger reactions to bites, since their immune systems haven't matured fully. But adults who are convinced they are being victimized by the bloodsuckers usually are not. "There are some people who have strong allergic responses to the bites which may make it seem like they're being bit more often, but they're probably not," Dr. Zwiebel notes.

Fighting Back

For people covered in welts and itchy wounds, Dr. Zwiebel says to stop scratching: When the mosquito bites, it leaves behind some of its saliva, a substance that contains anticoagulants and a local anesthetic, among other things. The body recognizes it as a foreign invader and sends histamines in to counterattack. Scratching just spreads the saliva and encourages the release of more antibodies, and more itching—a vicious cycle.

Those who swell up and itch a lot when bitten "should speak with their doctor about taking an over-the-counter antihistamine daily as a precaution," says Dr. Zwiebel. The bugs will still bite, but you may not notice, since the drug prevents the allergic response that turns a painless bite into an itchy nuisance.

Cleaner Is Meaner

Female mosquitoes are driven to bite you as they need a blood meal to complete their reproductive cycle and produce fertile eggs, which takes a huge boost of protein. To reduce the chances of being bitten, wash with an antibacterial soap to reduce the volume of mosquito-attracting bacteria on your skin.

Other ways to dodge bites: Avoid the outdoors at dawn and dusk, when mosquitoes are most active. Set up an outdoor fan to shoo bugs away. And wear long trousers and shirts if it's not too hot. Dr. Zwiebel also suggests spraying your clothing with repellent that contains DEET, a chemical that acts to confuse the mosquito's olfactory receptors. "It works, and until something better comes along, it's the best thing available to prevent bites," he says.

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Jurasic Park for Real? Two Ancient Mosquito Species Discovered

They may contain the blood of an anchient animal and it may be a dinosaur! Holy Jurassic Park batman...

An international team of paleontologists has identified two ancient species of mosquitoes from so-called compression fossils found in the Kishenehn Basin, northwestern Montana, the United States.

Culiseta kishenehn, left, and Culiseta lemniscata (Harbach RE et al / Zootaxa)

Ancient mosquitoes are very rare and the total number of species identified is now 26.
The newly identified species, called Culiseta kishenehn and Culiseta lemniscata, lived on Earth during the Eocene epoch about 46 million years ago. They are the first compression fossils identified from the genus Culiseta. They are produced in rock that is compressed over time, often creating animal fossils that are distorted, unlike the body fossils you get with amber where the whole body is often nicely preserved.

The team was able to spot minute details that distinguish one mosquito species from another, such as wing veins from 0.5 to 1.5 mm long, to minuscule setae, the hair-like structures near the base of the wing.

But is it possible that these fossil mosquitoes from the time of the Eocene epoch could also contain blood?

“Compression fossils are generally less informative morphologically than specimens preserved in amber,” said Dr Ralph Harbach of the Natural History Museum in London, lead author of a paper reporting the new species in the journal Zootaxa. “It is probably less likely for blood to be detected in compression fossils, but it should be possible.”

Blood has already been found in fossil mosquitoes of a similar age to the new finds. A species in the genus Culex preserved in 45-15 million-year-old Dominican amber had blood that contained bird malaria parasites. Some scientists think that human malarial parasites, which are transmitted by the Anopheles mosquitoes, arose by transfer from birds to humans.

And it was in another amber fossil that the oldest fossil mosquito, Burmaculex antiquus, was found – the Burmese amber was from the mid-Cretaceous.

So, what kind of viruses might the new ancient mosquitoes have carried?

“Although 46 million years old, they look very similar to some living species of the same genus Culiseta,” Dr Harbach said. “Culiseta kishenehn bears close resemblance to the living North American Culiseta melanura, which is a vector of Eastern and Western equine encephalitis viruses (EEE and WEE).”

“These viruses quickly infect the brains of horses and cause paralysis and very often death. EEE can infect amphibians, reptiles, birds and mammals, including humans. And there is currently no cure for the human form which is sometimes fatal,” Dr Harbach said.

“There were no horses or humans during the Eocene epoch and many living species of Culiseta feed on birds. So these ancient mosquitoes probably fed on birds too,” he said. “However, mosquitoes are basically opportunistic and will feed on other types of animals if their preferred hosts are unavailable.”

“Since some of today’s mosquitoes also feed on reptiles, could the more ancient mosquitoes have sucked from a dinosaur?” Dr Harbach said: “it’s possible. Evidence suggests mosquitoes evolved in the Jurassic Period (200-146 million years ago). If the early ancestral mosquitoes had already evolved to feed on blood, it is conceivable that they may have fed on dinosaurs.”

Why you need the famous MosquitoGone.com formula

The Life Cycle of the Mosquito

There are over 2500 different species of mosquitoes throughout the world of which 150 species occur in the United States. 52 species occur in California, and 19 species occur in Alameda County. In the course of the District's operation about 10 species are commonly found in the County. Eight of the species account for over 99% of complaints from the public.

Each of the species has a scientific name that is latin, such as Culex tarsalis. These names are used in a descriptive manner so that the name tells something about this particular mosquito. Some species have what is called "common names" as well as scientific names, such as Anopheles freeborni, the "Western malaria mosquito".

All mosquitoes must have water in which to complete their life cycle. This water can range in quality from melted snow water to sewage effluent and it can be in any container imaginable. The type of water in which the mosquito larvae is found can be an aid to the identification of which species it may be. Also, the adult mosquitoes show a very distinct preference for the types of sources in which to lay their eggs. They lay their eggs in such places such as tree holes that periodically hold water, tide water pools in salt marshes, sewage effluent ponds, irrigated pastures, rain water ponds, etc. Each species therefore has unique environmental requirements for the maintenance of its life cycle.

The feeding habits of mosquitoes are quite unique in that it is only the adult females that bite man and other animals. The male mosquitoes feed only on plant juices. Some female mosquitoes prefer to feed on only one type of animal or they can feed on a variety of animals. Female mosquitoes feed on man, domesticated animals, such as cattle, horses, goats, etc; all types of birds including chickens; all types of wild animals including deer, rabbits; and they also feed on snakes, lizards, frogs, and toads.

Most female mosquitoes have to feed on an animal and get a sufficient blood meal before she can develop eggs. If they do not get this blood meal, then they will die without laying viable eggs. However, some species of mosquitoes have developed the means to lay viable eggs without getting a blood meal.

The flight habits of mosquitoes depend again on the species with which we are dealing. Most domestic species remain fairly close to their point of origin while some species known for their migration habits are often an annoyance far from their breeding place. The flight range for females is usually longer than that of males. Many times wind is a factor in the dispersal or migration of mosquitoes. Most mosquitoes stay within a mile or two of their source. However, some have been recorded as far as 75 miles from their breeding source.

The length of life of the adult mosquito usually depends on several factors: temperature, humidity, sex of the mosquito and time of year. Most males live a very short time, about a week; and females live about a month depending on the above factors.

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Mosquito Life Cycle

The mosquito goes through four separate and distinct stages of its life cycle and they are as follows: Egg, Larva, pupa, and adult. Each of these stages can be easily recognized by their special appearance. There are four common groups of mosquitoes living in the Bay Area. They are Aedes, Anopheles, Culex, and Culiseta.

Egg : Eggs are laid one at a time and they float on the surface of the water. In the case of Culex and Culiseta species, the eggs are stuck together in rafts of a hundred or more eggs. Anopheles and Aedes species do not make egg rafts but lay their eggs separately. Culex, Culiseta, and Anopheles lay their eggs on water while Aedes lay their eggs on damp soil that will be flooded by water. Most eggs hatch into larvae within 48 hours.

Larva : The larva (larvae - plural) live in the water and come to the surface to breathe. They shed their skin four times growing larger after each molting. Most larvae have siphon tubes for breathing and hang from the water surface. Anopheles larvae do not have a siphon and they lay parallel to the water surface. The larva feed on micro-organisms and organic matter in the water. On the fourth molt the larva changes into a pupa.

Pupa: The pupal stage is a resting, non-feeding stage. This is the time the mosquito turns into an adult. It takes about two days before the adult is fully developed. When development is complete, the pupal skin splits and the mosquito emerges as an adult.

Adult: The newly emerged adult rests on the surface of the water for a short time to allow itself to dry and all its parts to harden. Also, the wings have to spread out and dry properly before it can fly.

The egg, larvae and pupae stages depend on temperature and species characteristics as to how long it takes for development. For instance, Culex tarsalis might go through its life cycle in 14 days at 70 F and take only 10 days at 80 F. Also, some species have naturally adapted to go through their entire life cycle in as little as four days or as long as one month.

The following pages show a typical mosquito egg raft, larva, pupa, and adult, and explains more about each stage.

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Mosquito Egg Raft

Culex mosquitoes lay their eggs on the surface of fresh or stagnant water. The water may be in tin cans, barrels, horse troughs, ornamental ponds, swimming pools, puddles, creeks, ditches, or marshy areas. Mosquitoes prefer water sheltered from the wind by grass and weeds.

Culex mosquitoes usually lay their eggs at night. A mosquito may lay a raft of eggs every third night during its life span.

Culex mosquitoes lay their eggs one at a time, sticking them together to form a raft of from 200- 300 eggs. A raft of eggs looks like a speck of soot floating on the water and is about 1/4 inch long and 1/8 inch wide.

Tiny mosquito larvae emerge from the eggs within 24 hours.

Notes: Anopheles mosquitoes lay their eggs singly on the water, not in rafts. Aedes mosquitoes lay their eggs singly on damp soil. Aedes eggs hatch only when flooded with water (salt water high tides, irrigated pastures, treeholes, flooded stream bottoms, etc.).

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Mosquito Larva

Mosquito larvae, commonly called "wigglers" or "wrigglers", must live in water from 7 to 14 days depending on water temperature.

Larvae must come to the surface at frequent intervals to obtain oxygen through a breathing tube called a siphon. The larva eats algae and small organisms which live in the water.

During growth, the larva molts (sheds its skin) four times. The stages between molts are called instars. At the 4th instar, the larva reaches a length of almost 1/2 inch.

When the 4th instar larva molts it becomes a pupa.

Note : Anopheles are unlike Culex and Aedes larvae since they do not have a breathing tube, they must lie parallel to the water surface in order to get a supply of oxygen through a breathing opening.

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Mosquito Pupa

Mosquito pupae, commonly called "tumblers", must live in water from 1 to 4 days, depending upon species and temperature.

The pupa is lighter than water and therefore floats at the surface. It takes oxygen through two breathing tubes called "trumpets". When it is disturbed it dives in a jerking, tumbling motion and then floats back to the surface. The pupa does not eat.

The metamorphosis of the mosquito into an adult is completed within the pupal case.

The adult mosquito splits the pupal case and emerges to the surface of the water where it rests until its body can dry and harden.

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Mosquito Adult

Only female mosquitoes bite animals and drink blood. Male mosquitoes do not bite, but feed on the nectar of flowers.

Aedes mosquitoes are painful and persistent biters, attacking during daylight hours (not at night). They do not enter dwellings, and they prefer to bite mammals like humans. Aedes mosquitoes are strong fliers and are known to fly many miles from their breeding sources.

Culex mosquitoes are painful and persistent biters also, but prefer to attack at dusk and after dark, and readily enter dwellings for blood meals. Domestic and wild birds are preferred over man, cows, and horses. Culex tarsalis is known to transmit encephalitis (sleeping sickness) to man and horses. Culex are generally weak fliers and do not move far from home, although they have been known to fly up to two miles. Culex usually live only a few weeks during the warm summer months.
Those females which emerge in late summer search for sheltered areas where they "hibernate" until spring. Warm weather brings her out in search of water on which to lay her eggs.

Culiseta mosquitoes are moderately aggressive biters, attacking in the evening hours or in shade during the day.

Anopheles mosquitoes are the only mosquito which transmits malaria to man.

Mosquito adult, larva and pupa drawings modified from Aquatic Entomology , by W. Patrick McCafferty; Illustrations by Arwin V. Provonsha; Jones and Bartlett Publishers, 1983

 

http://www.mosquitoes.org/LifeCycle.html