There is a difference of opinion among biologists and entomologists over when Aedes mosquitoes bite. The widely prevalent belief is that Aedes mosquitoes bite during day time and are active until evening.
However, recent developments find that Aedes mosquitoes can also bite when there is light in an area.
The time to be careful is during early morning and sunset. However, these mosquitoes can bite at night in areas where there is light.
Saying that the number of Aedes mosquitoes has risen alarmingly, president of the department of Biology of Dhaka University, Humayun Reza Khan, observes: “One needs to know these mosquitoes; they appear darker than other mosquitoes with white stripes on the body and legs with white marks on the head.”
These mosquitoes usually bite during the day but they can bite any time if they need to feed, he added.
“These mosquitoes like areas which have light and shadow.”
Coordinator of Dengue of the Health Department, Dr MM Akhtaruzzaman, said: “Areas infested with Dengue mosquitoes will be ravaged. Of late, the number of mosquitoes has risen and unless this is contained, the situation will deteriorate.”
Suggesting covered clothes for children during the day, he said: “To come out of this cataclysmic state, we need to further understand the character of Aedes mosquitoes.”