Wetlands, on the shores of ponds, in road ditches. Red-winged blackbirds and waterfowl build nests in the stems or in the water surrounded by cattails. The roots of cattails are eaten by people. The young feed on very small pieces of animal and plant matter in the water. Only the adult females bite animals and feed on blood.
Mosquitoes are an important food for bats, spiders, birds, insects, and mammals.
Common in North America around ponds, lakes, and slow moving rivers. The adultt are predators. They eat other small flying insects. The young live in the water, feed on other insects, and breath trough gills. Common across North America, especially in grassy and open areas.