IDENTIFICATION KEY
START HERE
Use a coin or game piece to mark
your place.
Review basic mosquito larva anatomy and then use this key to find out if the type of
mosquito you found is one of three disease-transmitting genera tracked by GLOBE
Observer. To find out more about other important mosquito vectors in your region,
contact your local public health department.
ANOPHELES
no
yes
Did you find
mosquito larvae?
Is there a siphon
present?
no
yes
spindle-shaped
What shape is
the siphon?
Are there pecten
present?
no
cylindrical or
yes
single tuft, single
hair or no hair
Are there hairs on
the siphon?
multiple hairs
yes
Is there a tuft at
the base of the
siphon?
Does the saddle
completely encircle
the anal segment?
no
(only partially
encircled)
Does the larva
have comb
scales?
comb scales
Does the anal
brush pierce the
saddle?
no
no
yes
(brush is above
or below)
no plate or scales
dark plate with teeth
pointed
NOT ONE OF THE
KEY GENERA
yes
CULEX
Your observations
of mosquito larvae
and their habitats
can be paired with
environmental data to
help forecast disease
outbreaks and reduce risk
of disease.
NOT ONE OF THE
KEY GENERA
AEDES
What shape are
the comb scales?
Is there a tuft
between the
pecten?
no
yes
observer.globe.gov
AEDES sp.
pitchfork
tapered to a
single point
AEDES aegypti AEDES albopictus
Are there thorax
hooks?
distinct, black
hooks
small hooks or
not visible