Can Mosquitoes Be Big?
WouterUsually when we hear of big mosquitoes we think of the Asian tiger. The Asian tiger, also known as the Aedes albopictus, is one of the world’s most aggressive biters. It transmits dengue fever to other parts of the world. It is also a carrier of heartworm and Zika viruses. In the U.S., outbreaks of chikungunya and West Nile virus have occurred.
There are several species of mosquito in the United States and many are not disease vectors. In fact, only about 100 species feed on human blood.
Most adult mosquitoes are small, with a length of less than 2.5 millimeters. They have large eyes and a long proboscis, or beak. They are also agile fliers. They have scale-covered wings and feathery antennae. They are most active during dusk and dawn. They have two wings, and they can be gray or brown in color.
Toxorhynchites speciosus, or the Australian elephant mosquito, is the biggest of all mosquitoes. It is four times larger than the typical mosquito and is found in the tropics. It feeds on larvae of other mosquitoes and gets its energy from the juices of plants. It is not a danger to humans. It lays its eggs in tree holes and bird baths.
The female elephant mosquito lays her eggs in the water surface or in rock indentations. The larvae feed on sweet liquids or small debris in the water. They grow to about a thumb in size.
