Bug FAQCommon malaria mosquito
Anopheles quadrimaculatus · Order: Diptera · Family: Culicidae
Source: Wikipedia
The common malaria mosquito lives in the eastern United States and lays eggs on still freshwater where they float on the surface. Eggs hatch in 2 to 3 days, larvae breathe at the surface and mature in 5 days to 2 weeks, while adults live about two weeks. It is a primary vector of malaria, so it can spread disease to humans.
Source: Wikipedia
Does it bite or sting?
It can transmit malaria to people.
Source: Wikipedia
How to get rid of it
If you travel to malaria-risk areas, talk to a healthcare provider about preventive medication. Avoid mosquito-heavy areas, especially at dusk and night. Use EPA-approved insect repellent. Wear loose, long-sleeved clothing and socks. Keep windows and doors screened or closed to keep mosquitoes out. Repair any broken screens on windows, doors, porches, or patios.
Source: CDC
Life cycle
Eggs are laid on still freshwater and float on the surface. Larvae hatch in 2 to 3 days, rest parallel to the surface to breathe, and mature in 5 days to 2 weeks depending on conditions. Adult mosquitoes typically live about two weeks.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
Found mainly in the eastern United States.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 36 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Florida, Indiana, Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Maryland, Ohio, Texas.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
How can I prevent mosquito bites?
Use EPA-approved repellent, wear long sleeves, avoid dusk/night outdoors, and keep homes screened.
Source: CDC
Same family (Culicidae)
Asian Tiger MosquitoAedes albopictusCan spread germs or disease
House Mosquito ComplexCulex pipiensCan spread germs or disease
Yellow Fever MosquitoAedes aegyptiCan spread germs or disease
Inland Floodwater MosquitoAedes vexansCan spread germs or disease
Asian Bush MosquitoAedes japonicusCan bite
Southern House MosquitoCulex quinquefasciatusCan spread germs or diseaseSources
- Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anopheles_quadrimaculatus
- CDC: https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/index.html
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-22 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-22.