Cattail Mosquito - Coquillettidia perturbans

Adult female mosquito with wide leg bands and a wide , undefined band on its proboscis. She had a partially digested bloodmeal in her abdomen.

Fun fact: The larvae of this species have saw-like projections on their siphon, which pierce plants to get oxygen. Therefore, the larvae never need to surface for air.

Habitat: Pondside in a mixed forest

comments (6)

Calbost Niel

Lion

The mammalophilic love is not a two way street Posted 3 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Definitely not. Posted 3 years ago

Ferdy Christant

Lion

The oxygen stealing is such a cool fact, had never heard it before. Posted 3 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  If you scroll down, this website has photos of the larvae tapped into vegetation:
  https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1192 Posted 3 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Thank you very much! Posted 3 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      you are very welcome! Posted 3 years ago

The Cattail Mosquito

"Coquillettidia perturbans" is a species of mosquito that have been documented in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America, and South America. This mosquito is a known as a vector of West Nile virus and Eastern equine encephalomyelitis.

Info 3 0

Similar species: True Flies

Species identified by Christine Young