 |
NSW Arbovirus Surveillance & Vector Monitoring Program |  |
|
NSW Arbovirus Surveillance & Vector Monitoring Program | |
|
Larval Comparisons
Aedes, Anopheles and Culex larvae. An indication of the genera of mosquito larvae can be made from the length of the siphon. Anopheles have very short siphons (see below also), while Culex tend to have the longest siphons. Aedes, Culex larvae and pupa. Both Aedes and Culex larvae hang down from the water surface at an angle. Compare this with Anopheles. Anopheles instars (larvae stages). Mosquito larvae go through 4 growth stages known as instars, before moulting to the pupal stage.
An adult female Aedeomyia venustipes. This is an uncommon species that rarely bites humans.
A pupa of Aedeomyia venustipes. This is an uncommon small mosquito, the larvae breeding in permanent swamps and ground pools. Click here to view the adult.
An Aedeomyia venustipes larvae.
Another image of Aedeomyia venustipes larvae.
Close up of the head of a Aedeomyia venustipes larvae showing the mouthbrushes.
An adult female Aedes aegypti, commonly known as the 'Dengue' or 'Yellow Fever' mosquito.
Aedes aegypti larva. Aedes agypti is the main vector of Dengue. For more information about Aedes aegypti click here.
Pupa of Aedes aegypti.
The larvae of Aedes albopictus, commonly known as the 'Asian Tiger mosquito'. This is an important vector of Dengue. This mosquito is not currently present in Australia and there is a serious risk of its introduction.
Another view of Aedes albopictus. This species was introducted into the United States in 1985 and has spread to around half of the states.
Culiseta atra
Culiseta tend to be dark mosquito that are not often collected in traps and generally do not bite humans. This particular species occurs in southwest Western Australia.
Larvae of Culiseta atra.
Toxorhynchites speciosus
|
A female Toxorhynchites speciosus. This is the largest of all mosquito species and has a distinctive bent proboscis. Fortunately this species does not require a blood meal. |
|
A male Toxorhynchites speciosus. For more information on this species, visit the Toxorhynchites speciosus Fact Sheet. |
|
A sequence of photographs of an emerging male Toxorhynchites speciosus. |
|
The larvae of Toxorhynchites speciosus. This mosquito is predacious on other mosquito larvae and will also eat their own kind. Click here to see a video of Toxorhynchites feeding on other larvae. See also the Toxorhynchites speciosus Fact Sheet. Click here to see the adults. |
|
Toxorhynchites speciosus larvae normally occur in dark containers in association with Ochlerotatus (Aedes) notoscriptus. Note the distinctive colour difference between the dorsal and ventral surfaces which would aid in camaflouge. |
|
Toxorhynchites speciosus larvae, like Ochlerotatus alternans & Culex halifaxii, have modified mouth parts to capture other mosquito larvae. |
|
A Toxorhynchites speciosus pupa. Note the tuft of hairs midway at the top of the pupa, which helps to hold the pupa to the water surface. Click here to see an adult male mosquito emerging. |
|
An adult female Tripteroides punctolateralis. |
|
This spikey mosquito is the larvae of Tripteroides punctolateralis. It is a tree hole breeder and occurs in northern NSW and into Queensland. |
|
The pupa of Tripteroides punctolateralis. |
|
There are several primitive flies that look very similar to mosquitoes and are often the cause of considerable concern by the general public. This is a harmless Crane fly, which belongs to the family Tipulidae. |
|
A male chironomid fly, also harmless but can occur in considerable numbers, especially after flooding. |
|
A female chironomid fly. The larval form are aquatic and look like small blood red worms. |
|
A male Culex quinquefasciatus. Male mosquitoes do not bloodfeed, rather they take nectar from plants. The large hairy antennae distinguished a male from the bloodsucking female. |
Mosquito Photos 
