Aedes aegypti, the yellow fever mosquito, is a mosquito that can spread dengue fever, chikungunya, Zika fever, and yellow fever viruses, and other disease agents. The mosquito can be recognized by black and white markings on its legs and a marking in the form of a lyre on the upper surface of its thorax.
Dengue symptoms usually start within a few days of being bitten but can take up to 2 weeks to develop. Symptoms can be mild or severe and can include fever with nausea, vomiting, rash, headache, eye pain, joint and muscle pain. In severe cases, dengue can cause shock, internal bleeding, and even death.
Aedes aegypti bites primarily during the day. This species is most active for approximately two hours after sunrise and several hours before sunset, but it can bite at night in well-lit areas. This mosquito can bite people without being noticed because it approaches from behind and bites on the ankles and elbows.
Aedes aegypti takes about 7-10 days for an egg to develop into an adult mosquito.
