Female: A medium sized mosquito of darkish appearance but with banded legs; proboscis extensively mottled, particularly on underside; scutum with no obvious pattern amongst the narrow golden scales although there a few paler patches at mid-length and particularly at the rear; wings completely dark scaled; hind legs with pale basal bands on tarsi, and femur, tibia and first tarsus mottled with pale scales; abdominal tergites with pale basal bands often convex or triangular in the midline, sternites pale scaled with median black (and sometimes apical lateral) patches. (Click here for a large photograph of the adult).

Similar Species

Adult females may be sometimes confused with other species with mottled proboscis, but Oc. vigilax, Oc. flavifrons and Oc. theobaldi have pale scales on the wings, Oc. alboannulatus has a pale band on hind femur, Oc. continentalis has no pale bands on the tarsi.

Geographic Distribution

NSW, Vic, SA and Tas (also WA); typically a coastal species but occurs in inland riverine areas with brackish influence, e.g. lower Murray valley. In NSW it has been collected as far north as Port Stephens.

Habits & Habitats

Adults can be active throughout the year in southern NSW and Vic, and can disperse widely from larval habitats; they can be vicious biters readily attacking humans and other animals including birds, and will feed during the day, at dusk and after sunset.

Vector & Pest Status

The species is a major pest in coastal areas of Vic, Tas and parts of SA but of lesser importance in NSW; the species is a known laboratory vector of Ross River (RR) virus, and RR virus has been isolated from this mosquito in east Gippsland, Victoria, and from the east coast of Tasmania. Laboratory trials have shown it can carry Murray Valley encephalitis virus.

modified from: Russell, R.C. (1996). A colour photo atlas of mosquitoes of
Southeastern Australia. Medical Entomology, Westmead Hospital.

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