Do Malaria-Carrying Mosquitoes Bite During the Day?
I recently travelled to the Philippines, but before I left Australia, I had an appointment with my travel doctor to make sure my shots were up to date. She mentioned that one of the islands I was visiting has higher malaria-transmitting mosquitoes, and to be careful as they tend to bite during the day.
We’ve all heard the advice: “Watch out for mozzies at dusk and dawn – that’s when they bite”. So this had me curious. I had to look into this.
Most Malaria-Carrying Mosquitoes Bite at Night
The mosquitoes responsible for spreading malaria belong to a group called Anopheles (pronounced: “Ann-off-a-lees”). These guys are mostly night feeders, doing their biting business between dusk and dawn.
That’s why, in malaria-prone areas, using bed nets and indoor sprays works so well — you’re protecting yourself while you sleep, which is peak mozzie feeding time.
But… Some Are Changing Their Routine
Here’s where it gets interesting. In a few parts of the world, scientists have noticed that malaria mosquitoes are starting to shift their behaviour. Instead of waiting until it’s properly dark, some are:
Biting earlier in the evening
Staying active into the early morning
Occasionally turning up in shaded or overcast conditions during the day
It’s thought this is their sneaky way of dodging things like bed nets and insecticide sprays.
That said, true daytime biting is still rare among malaria-carrying mosquitoes.
Daytime Biters = Different Threat
If you're getting bitten by mozzies during the day here in Australia, it's probably not a malaria risk — it's more likely Aedes aegypti or Aedes albopictus.
These mosquitoes don’t spread malaria, but they do carry some other not-so-fun viruses like:
Dengue
Zika
Chikungunya
Yellow fever
They’re daytime feeders, and they love hanging around shady outdoor areas, especially in the early morning and late afternoon. They’re also pretty bold — biting even indoors if they get the chance.
What About Here in Australia?
Good news — Australia is currently malaria-free.
We do have some Anopheles mosquitoes in the country, but they don’t carry malaria here. Most malaria cases in Australia come from people who’ve picked it up while travelling overseas.
If you're heading somewhere where malaria is still a risk, just be mosquito-smart:
Use a bed net if you’re sleeping in non-screened accommodation
Wear long sleeves and trousers in the evening
Wear a mosquito repellent bracelet such as Repel Wearables
Use a repellent with DEET, picaridin, or lemon eucalyptus
Stay in places with air con or proper screening
And during the daytime, don't let your guard down — especially in summer and tropical regions. Those daytime mozzies are still out for blood.
So, can malaria mozzies bite during the day?
Usually not. Most of them still stick to night-time hours, although there’s evidence that some are getting cheeky and shifting their schedule. But if you're being bitten during the day in Australia, it's likely from a different mosquito altogether — one that spreads dengue, not malaria.
Wherever you are, mozzie protection matters. Whether it’s day or night, indoors or out, the right repellent (and maybe a stylish mozzie-repelling bracelet 😉) can go a long way.
References
World Health Organization (WHO). (2020). World Malaria Report 2020. https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240015791
Mekuriaw, W. et al. (2019). Changes in biting behaviour of Anopheles arabiensis mosquitoes in Ethiopia. Malaria Journal, 18(1), 1–9.
Department of Health and Aged Care (Australia). (2023). Mosquito-borne diseases. https://www.health.gov.au/
CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention). (2022). Anopheles Mosquitoes. https://www.cdc.gov/malaria/about/biology/mosquitoes/