For fear of being bitten, many people immediately reach for a fly swatter as soon as they hear the buzzing of a mosquito. It is very interesting to take a closer look at what type of mosquito it actually is. Find out on this page what kind of visit you can expect in this country.
What types of mosquitoes can be found in Germany?
In Germany there are different species of mosquitoes, such as the common mosquito, forest mosquito or flood mosquito, which can be harmless to annoying. More dangerous species, such as the Asian tiger mosquito or yellow fever mosquito, can transmit diseases.
Harmless mosquitoes
The harmless mosquitoes are only rarely infected and often “only” cause itchy and sometimes painful bites. However, there are also mosquito species that don't bite at all.
The common mosquito
- best known in Germany because it is the most widespread
- stabbing
- becomes 3 to 5 mm in size
- dark brown to white body
- also known as house mosquito
- often stays close to people
- winteres in cattle sheds and farms
The forest, meadow and flood mosquito
- stays near water
- very common in flooded areas
- optical similarity to the common mosquito
- stabbing
- can cause meningitis
The Big House Mosquito
- gets 10 to 13 mm in size
- black-gray body
- white ringed legs
- Visual similarity to the Asian tiger mosquito (but is significantly larger)
- often stays close to people
- stabbing
- transmits the Tahyna virus
The Sandfly
- loves warm climates
- spread almost worldwide
- stabbing
The Blackfly
- gets 2 to 6 mm in size
- reddish, yellow or black body
- optical resemblance to a fly
- stinging (very painful)
- triggers allergies
- transmits the roundworm in Africa (causes blindness)
The Bearded Mosquito
- also called biting midge
- only grows to 2 mm
- arched back
- hairy wings
- stings especially on the edges of clothing
- active especially at dusk and at night
The Midge
- non-stinging
- does not suck human blood
- still widespread
The Winter Mosquito
- completely black body
- survives the winter easily
- non-stinging
Dangerous mosquitoes
Attention, these types of mosquitoes not only bite and sometimes cause severe pain, but can also transmit diseases. Mostly they come from distant countries and were introduced parasitically.
The Asian tiger mosquito
- easy to recognize by the white striped body
- occurs increasingly in the south of Germany
- transmits West Nile virus, Zika virus and chikungunya, - yellow, - and dengue fever
- very adaptable
The Asian bush mosquito
- comes from southern China, Japan and Korea
- transmits the West Nile virus
- can cause meningitis
- Optical similarity to the Asian tiger mosquito (black body, silvery-white stripes)
The yellow fever mosquito
- also called Egyptian tiger mosquito
- comes from the tropics or subtropics
- only grows to 3 to 4 mm
- dark body with white stripes
- mainly widespread in southern Spain, Greece and Turkey
- loves warm climates
- transmits yellow fever, dengue fever, chikungunya fever, and the Zika virus
