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.

… Sasha Azevedo, 10 January, 2007 - 2:40pm

mosquito gangs

Ohio has big black ones that are the size of apes! They just love torturing light skinned or white people. Yeeeeeeeeeeeeouch!!!!!!!

… Youxia Lei, 15 August, 2010 - 11:12pm

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.

… Sasha Azevedo, 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...

I'll try to locate some more in the next few days. :)

… Sasha Azevedo, 23 June, 2006 - 11:45pm