Aedes sollicitans

Primary Wetland Habitat

Grassy salt marshes, specifically areas above normal daily tidal range with salt meadow grass or saltgrass; potholes, depressions, and man-made sites like dredged materials or food processing wastewater.

Physical Identification Traits

• Adult: This is a medium-sized species with a brightly colored scaling pattern. It features a conspicuous white ring in the center of its proboscis and at the base of its hind tarsal segments. Notably, the first segment of the hind tarsus has a distinctive yellow band bordered by darker scales. The top of the abdomen is marked by a pale-scaled median longitudinal stripe, while the thorax is covered in dense white patches on the sides and a mix of brown, yellow, golden, and white scales on top.

• Larva: The larvae have a short air tube (about 2:1 ratio) and short, budlike anal gills. Their comb scales are thorn-shaped.

Geographic Range

Atlantic and Gulf Coasts from New Brunswick to Texas; Bahamas, Greater Antilles; some inland saline locations as far west as Arizona.

Feeding Habits

Fierce opportunistic biters of humans and domestic animals; females primarily feed on mammals and to a lesser extent on birds; active even in full sunlight with peaks at twilight.

Life Cycle Type

Overwinters as eggs in a diapause state; eggs withstand long periods of drying and hatch when flooded.

Medical Importance

Important vector of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE), Western Equine Encephalitis (WEE), Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE), and dog heartworm.