Habitat
Adults: terrestrial
Immatures: terrestrial

Feeding Habits
Adults:

Immatures: saprophagous

North American
Species: 150

Diptera Culicidae
Mosquitoes

Special Characteristics: 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.

Comments: 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.

Species:
Psorophora ciliata (Fabricius)

Common Name:
Gallinipper

Feeding Habits: Adult females are bloodsucking, males feed on nectar. The larvae are predaceous on other mosquito larvae.

Distribution:
Eastern Canada

Comments:
This is a large species of mosquitoes, and one of the earliest species to emerge in the spring. They breed in rain pools and flood waters.