Insect Orders
The Culicidae Family: Mosquitos
Anopheles sp.
a.
b.
c.
Culex sp.
d.
e.
f.
Anopheles sp.
- Common Name: Mosquito
- Identifying Features: Larva: Lack of a siphon, palmate hairs on dorsal side (Figure a.). Pupa: notice the split trumpets on the head (Figure b.). Adult: notice the palpi that are as long as the proboscis (forming the odd shaped tip at the end of the mouth) (Figure c.).
- Size of Mature Larva: 6.5mm
- Habitat: Pleustron Layer
- Other Information: The mosquito larva can be found floating parallel to the surface of the pond. It eats by rotating its head 180 degrees and uses brushes on its mouth to filter the surface of the water. It uses those same brushes to swim slowly.
- Figures:
a. Dorsal view of the mature larva
b. Side view of the pupa
c. Head of the adult
Culex sp.
- Common Name: Common House Mosquito
- Identifying Features: Larva: The presence of a siphon. Adult: Proboscis longer then the palpi.
- Size of Mature Larva: 5mm
- Habitat: Pleustron Layer
- Other Information: They are often found floating at a 45 degree angle to the surface of the water. When they are disturbed they quickly wiggle to the bottom, and then slowly float back to the surface. They use their mouth hairs to filter the water for food and swim.
- Figures:
d. Swimming larva
e. Dorsal view of larva
f. Adult