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Dog Heartworm		 CLASSIFICATION:
Say, Thomas. 1824. Appendix. Part I.- Natural history. 1. Zoology. E. Class Insecta. Pp.356. In Keating, W.H. Narrative of an expedition to the source of the St. Peter's River. Vol.2,459 pp. Philadelphia.
FAMILY: Culicidae
SUBFAMILY: Anophelinae
GENUS: Anopheles
SUBGENUS: Anopheles
IDENTIFYING CHARACTERS:
Maxillary palpus of female as long as the antenna or proboscis.
Postspiracular setae present
Prespiracular setae present
Scales on the dorsal surface of the radial sector and media narrow
BIONOMICS:
Larvae are found in permanent fresh water habitats that contain floating and/or emergent vegetation. Females readily bite man, domestic and wild animals, and are most active just after dusk.
MEDICAL IMPORTANCE:
This species is an excellent vector of human malaria. It is also considered a possible vector of dog heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis)
NOTE: Recent DNA analysis of this species indicates at least four sibling species are present under this name.
DISTRIBUTION: