Anopheles walkeri

Anopheles walkeri has a multivoltine life cycle.^[3] It produces a hardy winter egg which differs morphologically from the more vulnerable summer eggs by having enlarged floats on the dorsal side.^[3] By overwintering in egg form, this species is able to mature through one full larval generation before hibernating adults of other species are able to become active. The multivoltine life cycle means this species is active during both the swampy, open water conditions of early spring, as well as later in the year after the swampland has become thickened with plant growth. It takes about 10 days to mature through the larval stages and pupate, dependent on temperature and water conditions.^[5] Adults will typically mate within a few hours of emergence from their pupated form.^[6] The females then begin to seek out a blood meal to provide necessary protein to facilitate egg development. The female will then rest while the eggs develop. Once mature, the eggs are oviposited and the female begins the process all over again, feeding and laying for the 40 days or so that it lives for.^[6]

Due to habitat preferences, coupled with particularly low rates of virus detection, Anopheles walkeri is considered to be an unlikely vector of West Nile virus to humans.^[7] In addition, it has not been shown to demonstrate any capacity of transmitting avian malaria (Plasmodium circumflexum and P. polare).^[8] However, specimens of A. walkeri in the southern United States have been shown to harbor the human infecting strains of malaria, Plasmodium vivax and P. falciparum, albeit infrequently (freq= <0.005).^[9]