Mosquitoes

Family Culicidae

Gallinipper (Psorophora ciliata). Photo:Stephanie Boucher

Females are bloodfeeders and can transmit many important diseases such as malaria and yellow fever. The males feed on nectar. Larvae are aquatic and occur in ponds, pools, tree holes, and in artificial containers that have standing water. The larvae feed on algae, organic debris, and a few are predaceous and feed on other mosquito larvae. Adults are common near water and are usually more active at sunset and at night or in dense shade. Mosquitoes are small and slender flies that have long slender legs and a long and sharp proboscis, much longer than the head. Both sexes have small scales along the wing veins. Males have feathery antennae and the females have sparsely haired antennae. When at rest the wings are folded flat over the body.