Bug FAQWalker's Anopheles
Anopheles walkeri · Order: Diptera · Family: Culicidae
Source: Wikipedia
The eggs are laid on the surface of fresh water in swampy areas that stay wet. It develops through larvae to adult in about ten days, depending on temperature and water conditions, and can have several generations per year. Adults become active later in the evening and are most active late at night when seeking a blood meal.
Source: Wikipedia
Does it bite or sting?
In the southern United States, some individuals have been found to carry the human malaria parasites Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum, though this occurs in less than 0.5% of specimens.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it lives
Eggs are deposited directly on the water surface in freshwater swamps. Because the eggs cannot survive drying, the species stays in permanently wet swamp regions.
Source: Wikipedia
Life cycle
Anopheles walkeri produces multiple generations each year (multivoltine). From egg to adult takes roughly ten days, varying with temperature and water conditions.
Source: Wikipedia
When you see it
It starts flying later in the evening than most other mosquitoes in its range. It is especially active late at night while looking for a blood meal.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it comes from
It is found mainly throughout the Mississippi River Valley and as far north as southern Quebec, Canada.
Source: Wikipedia
Where it is found in the US
Recorded in 21 of 51 states and DC. Most records: Iowa, North Dakota, Massachusetts, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, Rhode Island.
Darker = more records. Counts are museum and citizen-science records, not population size.
Source: GBIF
Status: native in North America; native in Canada. Source: iNaturalist
Months it is reported in the US
Source: GBIF
More photos
Questions people ask
Can Anopheles walkeri transmit malaria to humans?
Yes, it can harbor the malaria parasites Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum, but this is very rare.
Source: Wikipedia
Where does Anopheles walkeri live?
It is most common in the Mississippi River Valley and reaches as far north as southern Quebec, Canada.
Source: Wikipedia
What habitats does Anopheles walkeri prefer?
It lays eggs on the surface of fresh water in swampy, permanently wet areas.
Source: Wikipedia
When are Anopheles walkeri mosquitoes most active?
They become active later in the evening and are especially active late at night when seeking blood meals.
Source: Wikipedia
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_walkeri
Look it up elsewhere: GBIF · iNaturalist · BugGuide · ITIS · Wikipedia
Text written 2026-10-23 from the sources above and checked sentence by sentence against them. Data fetched 2026-10-23.