Flies are bigger than mosquitos. They both bite but mosquitos do so more and need blood to live off of. Mosquitos come out at night, but flys are around all the time.
1. Mosquitoes
Mosquitos, scientifically named Culicidae, are prevalent problem insects found in every part of the world. Their best habitats are marshy and wet areas but poke noses in households as well. These invertebrates are usually predatory, feasting on human and other mammalian blood. It’s this attribute that makes them entirely hazardous to human health, causing deadly malaria. However, not all mosquitoes have this unique ability, but only the female anopheles.
Disease transmission of mosquitoes
Mosquitoes are among the notorious killers among all dangerous disease-causing vectors in the world. They have a high potential to transmit malaria, filariasis, the West Nile virus, yellow fever, encephalitis, and dengue.
Species that are known in the world today
There are over 3000 mosquito species known in the world today. While many species exist, there are a few with great significance to human health. They include
• The anopheles mosquito (Anopheles SPP)
There are nearly 430 Anopheles mosquito species known to the world today. Of these species, only between 30 and 40 are vectors, meaning that the rest do not significantly influence human health. The anopheles mosquito is responsible for all malaria incidences and deaths globally, accounting for up to 274,000 fatalities worldwide.
• The Culex mosquito (Culex Tritaeniorhynchus)
This species of mosquitoes obtains its blood from birds rather than humans. Therefore it’s not a characteristically fatal species to people. However, it’s still a vector for potentially hazardous diseases that still affect humans. It has a lifespan of 10 to 14 days and bites after dusk or at dawn. The culex mosquito is known to spread Filariasis, the West Nile Virus, and Encephalitis.
• The Aedes mosquito (Aedes Aegypti)
This mosquito species is popularly known as the “Yellow Fever Mosquito.” It’s a common species traversing the South, North, and Central Americas. They are notorious vectors for Yellow Fever and Dengue fever in the world today.
• The Asian Tiger Mosquito (Aedes Albopictus)
This mosquito species is exotic and derives its name because of the single white stripe on their head’s backside and their backs. They originate from South Asia and are a vector for Zika virus, Chikungunya, Dengue Fever, and Equine Encephalitis.
The Asian tiger mosquito is a notorious and annoying insect originally found in Southeast Asia’s tropical and subtropical regions. It’s a small mosquito species with three pairs of legs and a long segmented body with a pair of wings. This mosquito species is unique in the way that it feeds during the day. This feeding temperament is contrary to the typical habits of most mosquito species that prefer feeding at dusk or dawn.
Scientific name: Aedes albopictus
Family: Culicidae
Lifespan: three weeks
Size: A quarter of an inch long
Diet: Nectar and sugar-rich plant juices. Females prefer additional blood meals to nourish their eggs and some can bite several times. They usually feed on the blood of both birds and mammals.
Color forms: Black and white with a white stripe running down their head’s center and back. They also have white bands on their legs.
Origin, distribution, and availability
The Asian tiger mosquito is one of the many insects originally found in Southeast Asia and has spread to most tropical and sub-tropical parts of the world. One main reason for the vast spread of these mosquito species is the increased global travel that creates great spreading avenues.
Today, the Asian tiger mosquito is available in most parts of the US, especially in the South-central and eastern united states. The species is also available in Northern Queensland in Australia. Due to vigorous transport activities by people, this mosquito species also exists in most parts of the Middle East, Europe, and Africa.
Behavior and breeding habits
The Asian tiger mosquito usually displays unusual behavior compared to other mosquito species. They prefer feeding during the day, unlike other mosquito species that feed at dusk and dawn. Typically, they are profoundly annoying with their relentless blood-sucking habit, especially for females. In warm regions, these mosquito species are usually active all year round.
The female Asian tiger mosquitoes suck mammal and birds’ blood to nourish their eggs. They lay these eggs in containers that can hold up to an inch of water, including flowerpots, clogged drains, or small disposed containers.
Disease threats
Like most mosquito species, the Asian tiger mosquitoes are notorious for spreading diseases and viruses, including the West Nile virus. This virus is known to cause fatal neurological diseases in humans and can cause severe diseases in horses that could also cause their death. The mosquito is also a suitable vector of the Chikungunya virus, which originated in Southeast Asia and has spread widely worldwide, such as in Africa, America, and the Caribbean islands.
The mosquito species also transmit the Zika virus that was first identified in Africa in the Zika forests of Uganda. Other viruses and pathogens the Asian tiger mosquito can spread include the Eastern Equine Encephalitis and dengue fever, which are also deadly diseases and threaten humans.
Prevention and control
To kick these mosquitoes out, empty all cans and small containers that might store stagnant water. This stagnant water forms an ideal breeding habitat, and they’re likely to multiply faster. Would you please make sure you also trim or cut grass near your residence to reduce their hiding spots?
Since these mosquitoes prefer feeding on blood during the day, mosquito nets at night won’t help. Therefore, if you spend much of your daytime outdoors, be sure to put on protective clothing or apply some mosquito repellant to keep them away. If by any chance you get sick, seek medical help immediately.
The Asian tiger mosquito is one of the notorious mosquitoes for transmitting and spreading diseases among humans and mammals.
2. Flies
Flies are insects of the order Diptera consisting of over 1,000,000 species. However, about 125,000 species have been documented. They are unique among insects, having the ability to use only a pair of wings for flight. Just like mosquitoes, these insects have little significance to human health and cause more harm than good.
Disease transmission
Flies are among the most notorious disease spreaders globally, transmitting enteric infections like cholera, diarrhea, and some helminth infections. Flies carry E. coli pathogens and other bacteria responsible for infections like Anthrax, food poisoning, tularemia, and conjunctivitis.
Species that are known in the world today
• Housefly (Musca domestica)
This is a common fly species found in households and can transmit more than 100 different pathogens. This species of flies commonly spread salmonellosis, tuberculosis, and typhoid. They feed on liquids by sucking through their proboscis but can liquefy solid food by spitting and regurgitation techniques.
• Horse flies (Tabanidae)
These flies are found adjacent streams and creeks where there is warmth and dampness. They can also be found in areas near livestock and humans, as they usually look for blood to nourish their eggs. Horseflies do not live out at night and tend to avoid shady and dark areas. Their bites are also very painful, and they are also good at transferring pathogens from one host to another.
• The fruit fly (Drosophila melanogaster)
This fly species is commonly found in places with rotting food, including homes, restaurants, and kitchens. They are fruit fan favorites, dishing and breeding fruit peelings and remains in dust bins or trash pits. There are around 4000 fruit fly species worldwide, with the main species of fruit fly species including the Mediterranean fruit fly, the Caribbean fruit fly, and the Queensland fruit fly.
Fly vs. mosquito: The difference
• Eating habits
Mosquitos pierce through human and animal skin to suck blood but technically don’t use the blood for their nourishment but protein for their eggs. Most mosquito, like every other insect, feeds on nectar from flowers using the proboscis.
On the other hand, Flies have spongy mouthparts they use to feed on liquids from fruits and food. Although they don’t have any chewing mechanisms, flies feed by liquefying solid food by suppressing juices and sucking it.
• Size
Flies are generally bigger than mosquitoes. The enormous fly, Gauromydas heros, measures 2.76 inches long, while the giant mosquito, Toxorhynchites speciosus, measures only 1.5 inches long. Typically, mosquitoes don’t overgrow flies, although a handful of species can be smaller than most mosquitoes.
• Breeding
Mosquitos rely on marsh areas and, most notably, water to lay eggs. They usually utilize water’s surface tension to attach their larvae. Conversely, flies lay eggs on decaying fruits, food remains in the pits, and sewage steams.
• Diseases spread.
The diseases spread by both insects are vector-specific. Mosquitoes spread diseases including malaria, dengue fever, yellow fever, filariasis, and the West Nile virus. Some of these diseases are, however, spread by specific mosquito species. Alternatively, flies spread most helminth infections, including cholera and diarrhea.
Mosquitos and flies may be similar in specific attributes, both being insects, but differ in a wide array of characteristics. A common characteristic of both is their ability to spread infections that are detrimental to humans. However, the infections transmitted are not all similar.
Both insects also differ in their breeding habits as well as feeding mechanisms.
However, these insects have a silver lining to their name. They aid pollination and help in decomposition of matter, so that we don’t have to deal with them. As much detrimental they may be to humans, their importance can’t be ignored.
Use a spray to keep them away from your campsite.
