Mosquitoes are insects belonging to the order Diptera, the True Flies. Like all True Flies, they have two wings, but unlike other flies, their wings have scales and their mouth parts (in female mosquitoes) form a long piercing-sucking proboscis. Males differ from females by having feathery antennae and mouth parts not suitable for piercing skin. Nectar is the principal food source for male mosquitoes.

There are over 2500 different species of mosquitoes throughout the world, of which 150 species occur in the United States, 73 species occur in Florida and 47 species occur in Leon County. Each of the species has a Latin scientific name, such as Aedes albopictus. Aedes is the "generic" name of a group of closely related mosquitoes and albopictus is the "species" name which represents a group of individuals that are similar in structure and physiology and capable of interbreeding. Below is information about the different areas of the Mosquito Biology Section.

• Life Cycle: Discusses life cycle of mosquitoes typically found in Leon County. Includes videos and diagrams.
  
  

• Mosquito Habitats: Discusses common mosquito habitats found in Leon County. Includes video and slide shows.
  
  

• Mosquito Species: Lists the common mosquito species found in Leon County.
  
  

• Links: Lists useful links for more information concerning mosquito biology and mosquito control.