Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Common Mosquitoes That Can Spread Disease in Most mosquito bites will only result in itching or skin irritation. However, some kinds of mosquitoes found in carry viruses (germs) that can cause illness. Information about common kinds of mosquitoes that are most likely to spread disease in is shown below. Mosquito When are Where do they live and what kind What of animals What time of year are they Species they most of water do they like? do they bite? most common? Name active? Aedes vexans Dusk/dawn, River floodplains and salt-marshes Mammals/humans Summer and early fall – night temporary flooded areas Coquillettidia Dusk/dawn, Woodlands cat-tail marshes Summer – perturbans night Mammals/humans Culex pipiens Dusk/dawn, Urban areas artificial containers Birds, Occasionally Summer and early fall – night mammals/humans Culex Dusk/dawn, Urban areas natural and artificial Birds, Occasionally Spring, summer and fall – restuans night containers mammals/humans Culex Dusk/dawn, Salt-marshes brackish and Reptiles Summer – salinarius night freshwater wetlands Birds Mammals/humans Dusk/dawn, Woodlands white cedar and red Birds, Occasionally Spring and summer Culiseta – melanura night maple swamps mammals/humans Ochlerotatus Dusk/dawn, Woodlands woodland pools Birds Late spring through summer – day Mammals/humans canadensis Ochlerotatus Day Urban areas natural and artificial Mammals/humans Summer through fall – japonicus containers For information on diseases spread by mosquitoes and how to prevent them: contact the MDPH, Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at 617-983-6800 or visit the MDPH Arbovirus website at This document was developed in conjunction with the State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board and the Massachusetts Mosquito Control Projects. Updated April 2018
Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Common Mosquitoes That Can Spread Disease in Most mosquito bites will only result in itching or skin irritation. However, some kinds of mosquitoes found in carry viruses (germs) that can cause illness. Information about common kinds of mosquitoes that are most likely to spread disease in is shown below. Mosquito Species Name When are they most active? Where do they live and what kind of water do they like? What of animals do they bite? What time of year are they most common? Aedes vexans Dusk/dawn, night River floodplains and salt-marshes – temporary flooded areas Mammals/humans Summer and early fall Coquillettidia perturbans Dusk/dawn, night Woodlands – cat-tail marshes Mammals/humans Summer Culex pipiens Dusk/dawn, night Urban areas – artificial containers Birds, Occasionally mammals/humans Summer and early fall Culex restuans Dusk/dawn, night Urban areas – natural and artificial containers Birds, Occasionally mammals/humans Spring, summer and fall Culex salinarius Dusk/dawn, night Salt-marshes – brackish and freshwater wetlands Reptiles Birds Mammals/humans Summer Culiseta melanura Dusk/dawn, night Woodlands – white cedar and red maple swamps Birds, Occasionally mammals/humans Spring and summer Ochlerotatus canadensis Dusk/dawn, day Woodlands – woodland pools Birds Mammals/humans Late spring through summer Ochlerotatus japonicus Day Urban areas – natural and artificial containers Mammals/humans Summer through fall For information on diseases spread by mosquitoes and how to prevent them: contact the MDPH, Division of Epidemiology and Immunization at 617-983-6800 or visit the MDPH Arbovirus website at This document was developed in conjunction with the State Reclamation and Mosquito Control Board and the Massachusetts Mosquito Control Projects. Updated April 2018