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Elephant Mosquito - Toxorhynchites rutilus Very large, pretty mosquito. The adults only feed on nectar, not blood. The larvae are predacious and also cannibalistic.<br /> <br /> Habitat: Garden Elephant mosquito,Geotagged,Summer,Toxorhynchites,Toxorhynchites rutilus,United States,mosquito Click/tap to enlarge

Elephant Mosquito - Toxorhynchites rutilus

Very large, pretty mosquito. The adults only feed on nectar, not blood. The larvae are predacious and also cannibalistic.

Habitat: Garden

    comments (2)

  1. View Calbost Niel's profile
    Calbost Niel
    Lion
    View Lion class
    Now that is brilliant! Posted 4 years ago
    1. View Christine Young's profile
      Christine Young
      Lion
      View Lion class
      It's a very pretty mosquito! Unfortunately, the sun was harsh and this photo doesn't do the mosquito true justice. Lisa's shot is much better for showing off the shimmery purple and blue scales:
      Elephant Mosquito (Toxorhynchites rutilus) On Boneset (Eupatorium sp.) at the edge of a dense mixed forest. <br /> <br /> As its name implies, this mosquito is gigantic! However, the adults are nectar feeders (not blood-feeders), so there is no need to fret! Also, their larvae feed on other mosquito species! If anything, I would say that this is a good mosquito to have around!<br /> Another found August 24:<br /> https://www.jungledragon.com/image/83522/elephant_mosquito_toxorhynchites_rutilus.html Geotagged,Summer,Toxorhynchites rutilus,United States
       Posted 4 years ago

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The Elephant mosquito

''Toxorhynchites rutilus'', known generally as the elephant mosquito or treehole predatory mosquito, is a species of mosquito in the family Culicidae.

Info 3 0
Similar species: True Flies
Species identified by Christine Young
View Christine Young's profile

By Christine Young

All rights reserved
Uploaded Jul 14, 2021. Captured Jul 14, 2021 10:27 in 91 Main St, Sharon, CT 06069, USA.
country flag of United States of America Explore United States of America 39,925 9,640 8
  • Canon EOS 90D
  • f/13.0
  • 1/166s
  • ISO500
  • 100mm
Captured in the summer. More summer photos.