Anopheles freeborni
Anopheles freeborni, commonly known as the western malaria mosquito, is a species of mosquito in the family Culicidae. It is typically found in the western United States and Canada. Adults are brown to black, with yellow-brown hairs and gray-brown stripes on the thorax. Their scaly wings have four dark spots, which are less distinct in the male.
Male Anopheles freeborni aggregate into swarms to attract potential mates. Females are able to overwinter, allowing for seasonal development of eggs in the spring.
The western malaria mosquito feeds on bloodmeals. Within the United States’ regions of semiarid or arid climate, it has been historically identified as the primary transmission vector for malaria. It was most notably involved in the malaria outbreaks of northern California during the turn of the 20th century.
Description
Adult A. freeborni are medium-sized with overall brown to black coloration. They possess a dark proboscis as well as palpi of similar length to the proboscis on their heads. The head is covered in erect scales, dark-colored at the posterior, yellow-white at the center, and light at the vertex. They also have a frontal tuft composed of several light-colored setae.Adults have a gray-brown prescutellar space and brown to black scutum, which possesses hairs of light yellow to golden-brown coloration. The central area of the scutum has gray-brown stripes and the highest density of hairs. The sickle-shaped scutellum also has similarly-colored hairs and setae. The thorax has setae on the pre-spiracular area, but not on the post-spiracular area. The adult abdomen is brown to black, also with hairs of yellow-brown coloration.
Their legs have primarily dark scales, with lighter-colored scales at their tips. They possess wings of about 4.5 mm in length, covered in dark scales, with four spots formed by even darker-colored scales. These spots are less noticeable on males’ wings. The media and radial sector of their wings' backsides have tapered scales, which is unique to the species.
Distribution
The western malaria mosquito is present throughout North America, predominantly in the western United States and British Columbia, Canada. While most common in the United States and Canada, it has also been observed in Mexico. It typically remains west of the Rocky Mountains, but the mosquito has been observed slightly eastward in Texas, New Mexico, and southern Colorado. They are thought to be most populous in California, particularly the valleys of San Joaquin and Sacramento. An. freeborni have been collected in southern California.Habitat
Larvae are found in stagnant water; noted larval habitats include rice fields, pools along roads, and groundwater, with particularly significant larval production in algal masses surrounding rice fields. Vegetative cover is highly sought after in selection of larval habitats.Adults typically reside in cool, shaded areas in the daytime, such as drainage tunnels, dark corners of homes, or beneath bridges. One study in California found hibernating A. freeborni in the nests of wood rats. Females typically overwinter in human structures, such as basements, houses, garages, and barns. They do not remain in one location during overwintering, instead traveling to different shelters throughout the winter.
Phylogeny
Anopheles freeborni is part of the genus Anopheles. It is most closely phylogenetically related to the species Anopheles hermsi. It belongs to the Angusticorn section, the Maculipennis group, and the Freeborni subgroup, which also includes the species A. hermsi, A. occidentalis, and A. earlei.Flight patterns
Flight patterns of A. freeborni remain in close proximity to breeding sites in the summertime. Prehibernation flights, during which individuals disperse from breeding sites, take place in September. These flights are commonly in distance, although flights as long as have been recorded. When the temperature sufficiently rises during hibernation, flights are restricted to movement between local shelters. In February, females begin their return to habitats favoring larval development for oviposition.Life history
Anopheles freeborni undergo four stages of development, as do all other Anopheles. The entire development process takes about 20 days.Egg
During the egg, larva, and pupa stages, the mosquito is aquatic. Eggs are deposited directly into still bodies of water, where they float. Hatching may occur as soon as two to three days after oviposition, although it may take several weeks depending on environmental temperature.Larva
In contrast with other mosquitoes, Anopheles larvae are horizontally situated directly underneath the water surface. As larvae, all Anopheles mosquitoes develop a head, thorax, and abdomen, but no legs. They have spiracles on their abdomen, which allows them to breathe at the water surface. After four larval instars, each succeeded by molting, they transform into pupae. This process takes approximately 15 days.Pupa
Anopheles pupae transform dramatically, forming a cephalothorax from the thorax and head. Respiratory openings in the cephalothorax again facilitate breathing at the water surface, but no feeding occurs.Adult
After several days, the cephalothorax backside ruptures and the adult arises. The adult A. freeborni gathers its strength on the water surface until it is able to fly away in search of a bloodmeal.Food resources
Larvae feed on microorganisms on top of the water, such as algae. Feeding is facilitated by oral brushes, which generate spiraling currents that direct microorganisms into the mouths of larval A. freeborni.The adult western malaria mosquito relies on bloodmeals for food. It has been suggested as an "opportunistic feeder", with food choice influenced by available hosts. They commonly feed on humans and sizable domesticated animals, like cattle, horses, and dogs. Deer and sheep are also notable hosts. A. freeborni have also been observed frequently feeding on rabbits. Studies have not indicated a general preference for human or animal hosts, although host selection may vary with availability, human activity, and housing quality. Feeding occurs primarily during and after dusk, although daytime attacks may occur in when the weather is overcast. Females are also known to facilitate human bloodmeals by entering their homes.