Mosquitoes are found in every part of the Northwest Territories, with the exception of a few Arctic islands. Mosquitoes may be encountered from early spring to late summer, with the peak season from mid June to late July. Mosquitoes usually bite through night to morning, avoiding bright, hot sunlight and windy locations and occur in sheltered or damp areas, or on cloudy, warm days.
Tourism & Parks
Mosquitoes
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| Mosquitoes- An Introduction: | ||
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Mosquitoes may be found in massive swarms or in small numbers, where they may be barely noticeable. Only the female mosquito feeds on blood needed to produce eggs. When it bites, saliva is injected into the host. The irritation that occurs after the bite can be attributed to an anticoagulant in the mosquito's saliva. To minimise the unpleasant effect of mosquito bites, avoid scratching or rubbing the site! Completely! A mosquito bit will subside quicker if left alone. |
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| Life Cycle of Mosquitoes: | Mosquitoes have four stages of growth: egg, larva, pupae and adult. The first three stages require stagnant water. A single female lay’s 100 to 250 eggs per batch, and can repeat the reproductive process (i.e. eating blood for egg production and egg laying) 3 or more times before dying. The eggs hatch into larva, also known as wrigglers. Since larvae have no legs, they move around in the water by rapidly lashing their body from side to side. They feed on both living (i.e. algae) and dead plant material. The pupae are shaped like tadpoles with the tail tucked underneath. They normally rest motionless at the water surface, breathing through a pair of funnel-shaped structures, called trumpets, which are located just behind the head. Adults emerge from the pupal skins at the water surface. They stand on the water surface until their wings harden. The adult then leaves the body of water, in search of vegetation or moist shady places. Males generally assemble together in certain areas (i.e. forest clearings), during dawn or dusk, in the hopes of intercepting a female. Once a male intercepts a female, they mate in flight or drift downward to the vegetation. After mating, the male returns to the swarm, while the female begins her search for a suitable source of blood. Many species of mosquitoes are encountered in the Northwest Territories. They may differ in details of their life stages such as number of generations in a year, preferred sources of their blood meal and water temperature requirements for larval development. Some emerge in the spring while others emerge in the fall. |
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| Mosquito Environment: | Remember mosquitoes occur more frequently an hour after sunrise and sunset.Try to reduce activity in infested areas during these times. Buildings, tents and enclosed shelters are safe havens. Mosquitoes occur commonly in the bush areas rather than open areas or on islands. Mosquitoes are known to be generally inactive during hot, dry, sun days in open areas. Additionally, avoid low, poorly drained, overgrown campsites. Be sure to pick an open, windy camp site. For example, take a look at tent platforms offered at Fred Henne Park. |
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| Natural Predators: | Mosquitoes do have natural predators. These predators, which include insectivorous birds (i.e. swallows) and other insects (i.e. dragonflies), help reduce mosquito populations. Birds, which are opportunistic eaters of mosquitoes, are not an effective means of controlling mosquito populations on their own, but they ais in the fight to reduce the number of mosquitoes found in the Northwest Territories. These natural predators of mosquitoes and other pests can be attracted with feeders. Additionally, some of our finest sport fish species do feed on mosquito larvae, so the mosquito is not without value to our ecology. |
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| Further Information: | ||
