Home » Guide » Arthropods (Arthropoda) » Insects (Insecta) » Flies (Diptera) » "Nematocera" (Non-Brachycera) » Culicomorpha » Mosquitoes (Culicidae) » Psorophora

Genus Psorophora

Mosquito type bug? - Psorophora ciliata - female

Possible Gallinipper (Psorophora ciliata)? - Psorophora ciliata - female

Psorophora ciliata, a preadatory floodwater mosquito which preys on Aedes vexans 7 - Psorophora

Psorophora ciliata, a preadatory floodwater mosquito which preys on Aedes vexans 8 - Psorophora

Psorophora ciliata, a preadatory floodwater mosquito which preys on Aedes vexans 9 - Psorophora

Classification

Kingdom Animalia (Animals)

Phylum Arthropoda (Arthropods)

Class Insecta (Insects)

Order Diptera (Flies)

No Taxon ("Nematocera" (Non-Brachycera))

Infraorder Culicomorpha

Family Culicidae (Mosquitoes)

Genus Psorophora

Pronunciation

sora-pho-rah

Numbers

14 species in North America, divided into 3 subgenera: Psorophora, Grabhamia and Janthinosoma. (nearctica.com)

Identification

Adult:

- Pre and postspiracular setae present

- Pointed abdomen

- Pale transverse bands, when present, apical on abdominal terga.

Larvae:

- Saddle completely encircles segment X, pierced along midventral line by row of precratal setae

- Siphon with 1 pair of setae, often bulbous toward center.

Range

New World only, mostly south temperate or tropical.

Habitat

Larvae of North American species associated with temporary summer rainpools. Eggs deposited on damp or dry mud, hatching upon flooding.

Food

Males and females feed on plant juices and nectar, honeydew etc. Females require a bloodmeal to develop eggs.

Life Cycle

Eggs laid singly on in clusters on damp or dry mud of temporary rainpools. Some species predaceous as larvae, others are filter-feeders. Overwintering is in the egg stage in temperate climates.

Remarks

*Information on this page provided by Sean McCann.

Internet References

South Dakota State University

FMEL Site

Contributed by tom murray on 15 September, 2005 - 2:50pm
Additional contributions by Lynette, Omar Fahmy
Last updated 23 April, 2007 - 8:55am

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