The specimen happens to be lying on my desk just now. I swatted it while it was flying around, after I photographed it. It didn't get squashed much, but it did die.

No, I didn't alter the color at all. I did wonder why the light-tan towel it's on looks light tan in one photo and more white in the other -- but that's how it came out.

If you want any part of either photo enlarged, or another photo taken (before I throw away the specimen), let me know.

If you could get a dorsal shot of the abdomen (without wings in the way), that would be great. Maybe a bit closer on the hind legs as well, showing whether the bands are just apical or apical and basal.
It is a really intriguing mosquito, with those light bands on the tibiae. It looks like it should be obvious, but I cannot seem to get it. (If I had it in hand it would be a different story).
Thanks!
-Sean McCann


triatoma.blogspot.com

I added a dorsal shot and shots of one of the hind legs.
Also, for a larger version of the above photo, look here.

I have a feeling that this is a Culiseta, perhaps morsitans or particeps. I have seen neither, but I will ask Dr. Darsie tommorrow if he has any specimens I can compare them to. particepsseems more likely, but I will have to check up on it.
I blew up your big photo and am pretty sure I saw pre but no post-spiracular setae (telling me Culiseta, along with the curved proboscis and the blunt abdomen). We're not through yet!
Really good shots by the way.
Also, by chance, what altitude are you at? It may be important.
-Sean McCann


triatoma.blogspot.com

I'm in the Bay Area, in the flat part which is not much above sea level.
If you need any more photos, let me know. I've put the mosquito in a jar so it won't collect dust. :)

I took the photo with the wings and lightened it up and adjusted the contrast. I can see what I think are patches of dark setae. If so, this would make this Culiseta incidens, a very common species on the West Coast. That would also make a lot more sense as the other Culiseta species are not found near cities at sea level.
Anyway, if I could trouble you to get a shot of the wing against a light background, that would coinfirm the ID. Even as it stands I think you are safe to post this to Cs. incidens alongside my crappy photos.
-Sean McCann


triatoma.blogspot.com

I posted a wing shot, and moved to the Culiseta incidens page. Thanks for the ID! Let me know if the wing details don't agree with the Culiseta incidens ID....