Aggressive ‘Ankle-Biter’ Mosquito Eating SoCal Alive

A new species of mosquito going against the traditional modus operandi of attacking human flesh at dusk is tearing through Southern California, causing some residents to call it an “invasion.”

The Aedes mosquito, or “ankle biter” as it’s not-so-affectionately being called, will aggressively nip at skin multiple times in one sitting, and will come out in the middle of the day — atypical SoCal mosquito behavior — to suck your blood.

Aedes mosquitoes are also notorious for bites below the knee, specifically around the ankle, and will get their fill inside or outside of homes.

The Aedes mosquito leaving its mark (literally) on Southern California residents is causing officials to take preventative action.

“They are small and extremely aggressive. They will come out in the middle of the sun and attack you,” Roy Alfred said. “Once they get established, they pretty much don’t disappear.”

The aggressive blood-suckers, which officials believe arrived on a container ship from Asia, are slowly colonizing Southern California.

Robert Saviskas, the executive director of LA County West Vector Control, said while California already has a native mosquito population, ours are not like these new buzzing burdens.

“Native mosquitoes bite at night. These bite in the daytime. While native mosquitoes need a large body of water, these can breed in a small bottle-cap of water,” he said.

And unlike the local mosquitoes, the Aedes enjoy breeding indoors. They also lay larva just below the water line.

“Those eggs can last up to a year… and still be viable,” Saviskas said.

Vector officials have been trying to get the word out that the mosquito is more than just a nuisance.