Yellow fever mosquitoes found in San Mateo County, recently in Menlo Park

San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District Press Release, 2/19/15.

Aedes Aegypti adult mosquito,
aka: yellow fever mosquito

"Invasive Aedes Aegypti mosquitoes present in San Mateo County."  "San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District continues to detect invasive Aedes aegypti mosquitoes in San Mateo County. This species was most recently found on January 27th, 2015 in areas of Menlo Park.

Aedes aegypti is not native to San Mateo County. It is a small, day-biting mosquito that prefers to feed on humans.   This mosquito is capable of transmitting several viruses, including dengue, chikungunya, and yellow fever. While these viruses are not currently transmitted in San Mateo County, they are periodically introduced by international travelers. In the presence of a large population of Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, a single case of one of these diseases has the potential to become an epidemic.

....  The Aedes aegypti mosquito lays its eggs just above the water surface in small containers, such as flower pots, plant saucers, pet bowls, bottles, and bird baths. As these mosquitoes can breed in amounts of water as small as a bottle cap, residents are reminded to survey their property and immediately eliminate all standing water.   

Residents experiencing mosquito bites during the day should report them to the San Mateo County Mosquito and Vector Control District."  For more information, read more.

Aedes Aegypti mosquito larva

Reference -  Wikipedia/Aedes Aegypti mosquito. "The yellow fever mosquito  Aedes aegypti, ... can be recognized by white markings on its legs and a marking in the form of a lyre on the thorax."  Note photographs from this Wikipedia article. 

Related newspaper article -  Mercury News/Peninsula/Reah Mahbubani, Staff Writer, 2/28/15. "Yellow fever mosquitoes found in Menlo Park." .... "The mosquito can lay eggs just above the surface of water in flower pots, pet bowls, bottles and bird baths. Even a bottle cap is fair game, the district adds, reminding residents to check their properties and discard all sources of standing water. Other precautionary measures include adding screens to doors and windows, reporting neglected swimming pools, using insect repellents and wearing long-sleeved shirts and full-length pants when outside." 

Posted by Kathy Meeh