# Yellow fever mosquito

> The yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) is a black-and-white, day-biting mosquito and the main carrier of dengue virus in Indonesia.

Source: https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/yellow-fever-mosquito/ · Updated 25 September 2026 · English · Bahasa Indonesia: https://panduanhewan.org/id/spesies/nyamuk-aedes-aegypti/
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## Quick answer

The Yellow fever mosquito (*Aedes aegypti*) is an invertebrate in the family Culicidae.

| Fact | Value |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | *Aedes aegypti* |
| Indonesian name | Nyamuk Aedes aegypti |
| Group | Invertebrates |
| Family | Culicidae |
| Range in Indonesia | Throughout the archipelago, from Aceh to Papua |
| Linked habitats | [Urban Habitats](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/urban/) |
| Diet | Females take blood; both sexes feed on nectar |
| Range in Indonesia | Throughout the archipelago, from Aceh to Papua |
| Key feature | Black body, white lyre mark on thorax, white-banded legs |
| Other names | Nyamuk DBD (Indonesian for ‘dengue mosquito’) |
| Risk to people | Spreads dengue, Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever viruses |

## What is the yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti)?

The yellow fever mosquito (Aedes aegypti) is a small black-and-white mosquito and the main carrier of dengue virus, the cause of dengue fever, in Indonesia. Indonesia’s Ministry of Health describes it as jet-black, with two vertical white lines on its back and white bands across its legs. The University of Florida notes that the white scales on its thorax form the shape of a lyre.

It is easily confused with the Asian tiger mosquito (Aedes albopictus), which can also carry dengue but has a single white stripe down the middle of its thorax. Unlike many mosquitoes that bite at night, Aedes aegypti is active mainly from morning to late afternoon.

Evidence: [Ayo Sehat Kemenkes — Demam Berdarah Dengue](https://ayosehat.kemkes.go.id/topik/demam-berdarah-dengue) · [University of Florida IFAS — Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes aegypti (EENY-434/IN792)](https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN792) · [Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology — Garjito et al. (2021), Homogeneity and possible replacement of populations of the dengue vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Indonesia](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2021.705129/full)

## Where does the yellow fever mosquito live?

Aedes aegypti is now found throughout the Indonesian archipelago, mostly around homes in both towns and villages. The species originated in Africa and was first formally recorded in Indonesia in 1908, according to Ministry of Health researchers writing in Frontiers (2021). In 2016–2017 the same team collected it at 43 sites in 25 provinces, from Aceh to West Papua.

CDC says Aedes aegypti lives both indoors and outdoors and prefers to live near people. Indonesia’s Ministry of Health notes that it is found more often inside dark, cool houses than outdoors. Researchers link its wide spread to its adaptability to towns and home surroundings.

Evidence: [Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology — Garjito et al. (2021), Homogeneity and possible replacement of populations of the dengue vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Indonesia](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2021.705129/full) · [CDC — Life Cycle of Aedes Mosquitoes](https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/life-cycle-of-aedes-mosquitoes.html) · [Ayo Sehat Kemenkes — Demam Berdarah Dengue](https://ayosehat.kemkes.go.id/topik/demam-berdarah-dengue)

## What does the yellow fever mosquito eat?

Adult yellow fever mosquitoes of both sexes feed on plant nectar, but only females take blood. Females need blood to produce eggs and, according to the University of Florida, feed mainly on humans. Ministry of Health researchers writing in Frontiers describe it as the mosquito most attracted to people, able to feed on humans repeatedly, almost daily.

The larvae live in water and eat organic particles such as algae and other microorganisms. A female can pick up dengue virus when she bites an infected person. Indonesia’s Ministry of Health says the mosquito becomes infectious 8–12 days later and stays infectious for the rest of its life.

Evidence: [University of Florida IFAS — Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes aegypti (EENY-434/IN792)](https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN792) · [Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology — Garjito et al. (2021), Homogeneity and possible replacement of populations of the dengue vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Indonesia](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2021.705129/full) · [Kementerian Kesehatan RI — Nyamuk DBD Mudah Menyerang](https://kemkes.go.id/id/nyamuk-dbd-mudah-menyerang)

## How does the yellow fever mosquito breed?

The yellow fever mosquito lays its eggs on the inside walls of containers that hold water, just above the waterline. CDC says the eggs stick firmly, can survive drying out for up to eight months, and hatch when rain covers them. Bathtubs, buckets, drums, vases, old tyres and discarded items that collect rainwater can all become breeding sites.

It takes only 7–10 days to go from egg to adult, according to CDC. The University of Florida notes that a female lays on average 100–200 eggs per batch and can produce up to five batches. It does not fly far, usually only a few blocks in its lifetime.

Evidence: [CDC — Life Cycle of Aedes Mosquitoes](https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/life-cycle-of-aedes-mosquitoes.html) · [University of Florida IFAS — Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes aegypti (EENY-434/IN792)](https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN792) · [Kementerian Kesehatan RI — Kendalikan DBD dengan PSN 3M Plus](https://kemkes.go.id/id/kendalikan-dbd-dengan-psn-3m-plus)

## Why is the yellow fever mosquito dangerous?

The yellow fever mosquito is dangerous because an infected female’s bite passes on dengue virus; it also carries Zika, chikungunya and yellow fever. WHO says about half the world’s population is at risk of dengue, and Indonesia’s Ministry of Health ranks its dengue spread among Southeast Asia’s highest.

WHO says symptoms usually start 4–10 days after infection: high fever up to 40°C, severe headache, pain behind the eyes, and muscle and joint pain. Warning signs often come as the fever drops: severe abdominal pain, persistent vomiting, bleeding gums or nose, rapid breathing, and pale, cold skin. Anyone with these signs should go to a health facility promptly.

Evidence: [WHO — Dengue and severe dengue (fact sheet)](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue) · [Ayo Sehat Kemenkes — Demam Berdarah Dengue](https://ayosehat.kemkes.go.id/topik/demam-berdarah-dengue) · [Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology — Garjito et al. (2021), Homogeneity and possible replacement of populations of the dengue vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Indonesia](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2021.705129/full)

## How can you prevent yellow fever mosquitoes with 3M Plus?

The main way to prevent yellow fever mosquitoes is the Ministry of Health’s 3M Plus mosquito-nest eradication (PSN). The three Ms are draining water containers (menguras), tightly covering water storage (menutup), and reusing or recycling (mendaur ulang) discarded items that can hold water. This should continue all year, especially in the rainy season.

The ‘Plus’ includes larvicide for containers that are hard to drain, larva-eating fish, bed nets and repellents, window screens, and not hanging clothes indoors. Since 2015 every household has been asked to check for larvae (‘1 Rumah 1 Jumantik’), and the ministry is deploying Wolbachia mosquitoes in five cities, including Semarang, Bandung and Kupang.

Evidence: [Kementerian Kesehatan RI — Kendalikan DBD dengan PSN 3M Plus](https://kemkes.go.id/id/kendalikan-dbd-dengan-psn-3m-plus) · [Ayo Sehat Kemenkes — Pemberantasan Sarang Nyamuk dengan 3M Plus](https://ayosehat.kemkes.go.id/pemberantasan-sarang-nyamuk-dengan-3m-plus) · [Ayo Sehat Kemenkes — Teknologi Wolbachia dalam Pengendalian Demam Berdarah di Indonesia](https://ayosehat.kemkes.go.id/teknologi-wolbachia-dalam-pengendalian-demam-berdarah-di-indonesia)

## Common questions about the Yellow fever mosquito

### What is the scientific name of the Yellow fever mosquito?

The scientific name of the Yellow fever mosquito is *Aedes aegypti*, in the family Culicidae. In Indonesian it is called Nyamuk Aedes aegypti.

### Where can the Yellow fever mosquito be found in Indonesia?

In Indonesia, this guide records the Yellow fever mosquito in: Throughout the archipelago, from Aceh to Papua.

Source-supported habitats: [Urban Habitats](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/urban/).

### What does the Yellow fever mosquito eat?

Diet of the Yellow fever mosquito: females take blood; both sexes feed on nectar.

## Sources & references

1. [WHO — Dengue and severe dengue (fact sheet)](https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dengue-and-severe-dengue)
2. [CDC — Life Cycle of Aedes Mosquitoes](https://www.cdc.gov/mosquitoes/about/life-cycle-of-aedes-mosquitoes.html)
3. [University of Florida IFAS — Yellow Fever Mosquito, Aedes aegypti (EENY-434/IN792)](https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN792)
4. [Frontiers in Cellular and Infection Microbiology — Garjito et al. (2021), Homogeneity and possible replacement of populations of the dengue vectors Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus in Indonesia](https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/cellular-and-infection-microbiology/articles/10.3389/fcimb.2021.705129/full)
5. [Ayo Sehat Kemenkes — Demam Berdarah Dengue](https://ayosehat.kemkes.go.id/topik/demam-berdarah-dengue)
6. [Kementerian Kesehatan RI — Nyamuk DBD Mudah Menyerang](https://kemkes.go.id/id/nyamuk-dbd-mudah-menyerang)
7. [Kementerian Kesehatan RI — Kendalikan DBD dengan PSN 3M Plus](https://kemkes.go.id/id/kendalikan-dbd-dengan-psn-3m-plus)
8. [Ayo Sehat Kemenkes — Pemberantasan Sarang Nyamuk dengan 3M Plus](https://ayosehat.kemkes.go.id/pemberantasan-sarang-nyamuk-dengan-3m-plus)
9. [Ayo Sehat Kemenkes — Teknologi Wolbachia dalam Pengendalian Demam Berdarah di Indonesia](https://ayosehat.kemkes.go.id/teknologi-wolbachia-dalam-pengendalian-demam-berdarah-di-indonesia)

## Keep exploring

- [American cockroach](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/american-cockroach/)
- [Asian honey bee](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/asian-honey-bee/)
- [Scarlet Skimmer](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/crocothemis-servilia/)
- [Chalky Percher](https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/diplacodes-trivialis/)
- [Urban Habitats](https://panduanhewan.org/en/habitats/urban/)

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Cite: PanduanHewan. (2026). Yellow fever mosquito. PanduanHewan.org. https://panduanhewan.org/en/species/yellow-fever-mosquito/