Santa Barbara Confirms New Case of Daytime-Biting Australian Backyard Mosquito

Santa Barbara County officials have confirmed more instances of the non-native Australian backyard mosquito at residences in the City of Santa Barbara.

The Mosquito and Vector Management District (MVMD) announced in a social media post that a specimen of the Aedes notoscriptus, also known as the Australian backyard mosquito, was collected on Kenwood Road in Santa Barbara’s Mesa neighborhood on June 10.

The mosquito was found around half a mile from where the species was first detected in March, near the intersection of Micheltorena and Gillespie Street in the city’s Westside neighborhood.

Officials said that the discovery of the mosquito has intensified efforts to identify and eliminate the source of the infestation.

“Our goal is to stop their spread and potentially eradicate them,” MVMD shared on Instagram.

Aedes notoscriptus is an aggressive daytime biter that thrives in residential areas, according to the vector control department.

Unlike most mosquito species that are active at dawn and dusk, the Aedes notoscriptus mosquito can disrupt outdoor activities throughout the day.

If the species establishes itself, residents’ regular daytime activities are at risk of being impacted by frequent buzzing and biting.

The Aedes notoscriptus can adapt to living around humans.

Female mosquitoes lay their eggs above the water in small containers and vessels, such as dishes under potted plants, bird baths, ornamental fountains, discarded tires, yard drains, and buckets, according to the MVMD.

Officials urged residents to check drains for clogs and clear any accumulated mud, leaves, silt, and other debris so that water can flow out.

The latest case in the Mesa neighborhood follows the MVMD’s initial announcement in March.

According to the vector management department, the first instance of the species in Santa Barbara County was documented in the City of Santa Barbara’s Westside neighborhood on March 13.

The department said it would lay traps for adult mosquitoes and larvae around the detection zone and conduct door-to-door inspections to locate breeding sources and standing water.

Aedes notoscriptus is a small (about one-quarter of an inch) black and white colored mosquito that bites during the day.

Native to Australia, these mosquitoes are also commonly found in some urban areas of the southeastern U.S., Arizona, and some counties in California, MVMD said in a statement.

In Australia, the Aedes notoscriptus is the main vector that causes dog heartworm, according to the department.

The Aedes notoscriptus looks similar to the Aedes aegypti, also known as the “ankle biter” mosquito, which is found across southern California and northward up the Central Valley, according to the MVMD.