Mosquito - Psorophora howardii

p.howardii

I had one land on my sleeve this afternoon and I almost panicked, it was bigger than any other mosquito I have seen. I held my sleeve away from my arm so it couldn't bite through it in case it was female--but I see now it was a male and I was safe. I finally coaxed it into my hand so I could put it on a plant so I could go inside, but it fell over on its side. I figured it was the end of the poor thing so I put it on an azalea and left it. Are they plentiful here in South Carolina? I'm just southeast of Columbia.

… Deb, 30 September, 2006 - 1:01am

Plenty of them

Hey Deb, there plenty of mosquitoes in South Carolina. As for upstate, I'm not sure of the percentage, but I know that on the coast, it's quite infested. Most especially around swampy areas, marshes, puddles (especially when it rains), and wooded areas.

… sashajade, 10 January, 2007 - 2:40pm

Psorophora howardii

Wow. A new species for Bugguide! This is a male Psorophora howardii, distinguished from Ps. ciliata by lacking the median golden stripe on the scutum, and having a dark scaled proboscis.
Compare to image of female here: http://www.mosquito-va.org/psorophora_howardii.htm
Congratulations! Nice photo!

… Sean McCann, 23 June, 2006 - 11:16pm

Oh, cool!

I didn't know we didn't have any of these on here yet! Your response was so quick... thanks. I appreciate your help.

… sashajade, 23 June, 2006 - 11:26pm

...

Do you have more of these around? I have never seen one except pinned. Any other photos would be much appreciated!

… Sean McCann, 23 June, 2006 - 11:31pm

Not yet

...but for the last four days or so, I've been out in the yard hunting some more of them down. They're quite skittish compared to other mosquitoes (i.e. asian tiger), so I have to sneak up from behind quietly, but quickly before they take off. If I had a telephoto lens, I'd do it that way, but I don't own one. I'll try to locate some more in the next few days. Gotta love the great outdoors. :)

… sashajade, 23 June, 2006 - 11:45pm