Insects: Introduced Species
Scientific name: Culex quinquefasciatus
Common name(s): Southern house mosquito
Status: Introduced
Habitat: Ditches, pools
Preferred Area of Stream: Not found in flowing water. Breeds in ditches, pools, marshes, tin cans, buckets, barrels, soda cans, tires and any trash.
Range in Hawai‘i: Extremely Common on all Hawaiian Islands
Diet: Blood from birds and mammals
Predators: Dragonflies, damselflies, other predatory aquatic insects, and fish
Fact: This night-biting species of mosquito is responsible for the spread of avian malaria that has the caused the extinction of many species of native Hawaiian forest birds. Most native forest bird species in Hawai‘i are now found only in high elevation areas (> 4000 ft or 1220 m) that are too cold for the southern house mosquito to survive.
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