Dog Heartworm – Dirofilaria immitis
Vector – Aedes vexans
One of many species that transmit this parasite, Aedes vexans can be found almost anywhere floodwaters occur, either from natural flooding or artificial irrigation. Aedes vexans emerges in large numbers and, as a multivoltine species, maintains a continuous population throughout the summer. Females bite primarily at night and will feed on humans and cattle.
Larval Habitat
Floodplains/irrigation areas
Pathogen
Transmitted by the bite of infected mosquitoes, heartworm (Dirofilaria immitis) is a parasitic roundworm that primarily affects dogs, wolves, coyotes, and foxes. In rare cases it can infect humans, but humans are dead-end hosts and the filarial worm cannot complete its lifecycle.
Distribution
