# Eastern Treehole Mosquito (*Aedes triseriatus*) The Eastern Treehole Mosquito is a small insect that loves to live in tree holes and other wet places. They are known for their buzzing sound and can be found in many backyards during warm weather. - **Category:** [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/insect) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 2/5 · Low - **Habitat:** Forests ![Eastern Treehole Mosquito](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Ochlerotatus_triseriatus_F0007_recolor_resize.jpg&width=800) Photo: Monsieur.sploosh, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Ochlerotatus_triseriatus_F0007_recolor_resize.jpg) ## Appearance The Eastern Treehole Mosquito is a small, dark-bodied insect with silvery-white scales on its legs and a distinct pattern of white scales forming stripes on its black thorax. Its dark wings are delicate and clear. These markings help distinguish it from other mosquito species. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Arthropoda - **Class:** Insecta - **Order:** Diptera - **Family:** Culicidae - **Genus:** Aedes ## Interesting facts - Only female treehole mosquitoes bite! Males prefer sipping sweet flower nectar. - Their tiny eggs can hatch even after drying out completely, waiting for rain! - These insects can detect carbon dioxide from animals up to 100 feet away! - Treehole mosquito larvae are filter feeders, cleaning their watery homes of microbes! ## Special abilities - **Winter Warrior Eggs:** Eastern Treehole Mosquitoes can lay eggs that survive freezing winters, because they are specially adapted to harsh cold. - **Treehole Tracker:** Eastern Treehole Mosquitoes can find tiny water-filled treeholes, that helps them lay eggs in perfect hidden nurseries. - **CO2 Compass:** Eastern Treehole Mosquitoes can detect exhaled carbon dioxide, that helps them locate warm-blooded animals for a meal. ## Measurements & details - **Wingspan:** 6-10 mm - **Size:** 3-5 mm - **Lifespan:** 10-40 days - **Flight Speed:** 2 km/h - **Leg Count:** 6 ## Diet & Feeding Adults drink nectar, but females also bite animals for blood to lay eggs. - **Age differences:** Larvae are aquatic filter-feeders, while adults feed on nectar and (females) blood. - **Primary Foods:** nectar, plant juices, mammalian blood, bird blood, microorganisms - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Parasitizes:** [Human](https://www.snappit.app/explore/human) (*Homo sapiens*) — Females bite humans for blood meals. - **Parasitizes:** [Eastern Gray Squirrel](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-gray-squirrel) (*Sciurus carolinensis*) — Squirrels are common blood hosts for adult females. - **Eaten by:** [Little Brown Bat](https://www.snappit.app/explore/little-brown-bat) (*Myotis lucifugus*) — Bats may prey on flying mosquitoes at night. - **Eaten by:** [Common Green Darner](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-green-darner) (*Anax junius*) — Dragonflies are aerial predators of mosquitoes. ## Traits - [Social](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/social): Social animals live in organized groups, cooperating for survival benefits such as foraging, defense, and raising offspring. - [Aerial](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aerial): Aerial creatures spend a significant portion of their lives airborne, utilizing flight for various activities such as hunting, migration, or nesting. - [Omnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/omnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet includes both plant and animal matter. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life. - [Miniature](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/miniature): Pertaining to species that are significantly smaller than typical or average for their kind. - [Nocturnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/nocturnal): Nocturnal animals are primarily active during the nighttime hours, typically resting or sleeping during the day. - [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants. ## Collections - [Insects](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/insects) ## Safety **Danger:** 2/5 · Low Avoid getting bitten by wearing long sleeves and using bug spray when playing outside. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Eastern Treehole Mosquito? Look for six legs, antennae, three body sections and the shape of the wings. Beetles have hardened front wings; flies have just one working pair. Tiny insects may need a close view before their group is clear. Insect Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### What is Eastern Treehole Mosquito's wingspan? 6-10 mm ### How big is Eastern Treehole Mosquito? 3-5 mm ### How long does Eastern Treehole Mosquito live? 10-40 days ### How fast can Eastern Treehole Mosquito fly? 2 km/h ### What does Eastern Treehole Mosquito eat? Adults drink nectar, but females also bite animals for blood to lay eggs. ### Where is Eastern Treehole Mosquito usually found? Forests ### How does Eastern Treehole Mosquito hunt? Ambush ## Where to spot - [Waubay National Wildlife Refuge](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/waubay-national-wildlife-refuge) — South Dakota, US · Nature Reserve ## More Insects - [Common Eastern Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-eastern-bumble-bee) (*Bombus impatiens*) - [Spotted Lanternfly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/spotted-lanternfly) (*Lycorma delicatula*) - [Brown-belted Bumble Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/brown-belted-bumble-bee) (*Bombus griseocollis*) - [Eastern Carpenter Bee](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-carpenter-bee) (*Xylocopa virginica*) --- Source: [Eastern Treehole Mosquito: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/eastern-treehole-mosquito)