Identification
Proboscis dark-scaled, palpi dark. Scutum clothed with golden-brown scales on dark bronze-brown integument. Scutellum with brown setae and dark brown-bronze scales on lobes.
Abdominal tergites clothed in dark brown scales, occaisionally with light basal stripe. Basolateral white-scaled patches present.
Range
Sotheastern USA through Mexico, Central, and South America.
Habitat
Diverse habitats, but shelters in dense vegetation during the day.
Larval habitats also diverse, but mainly associated with flooded grassy pastures and croplands. For this reason it is considered a "floodwater mosquito".
Season
Year-round, population peaks from mid-July to October, depending on rainfall
Remarks
This species has been incriminated as the primary enzootic vector of SLE and WNV in Florida. Often present in extremely large numbers.
Print References
Nayar, J. K. 1982. Bionomics and Physiology of Culex nigripalpus (Diptera: Culicidae) of Florida: An Important Vector of Diseases. University of Florida, Gainesville.
