Female: Medium sized mosquitoes of dark brownish appearance; proboscis dark scaled; scutum with dark bronzy narrow scales separating a series of lines of golden narrow scales; wings dark scaled; hind legs with femur pale scaled on basal half except for dorsal dark scales and with extensive dark mottling towards apex, tibia dark with pale scales forming a stripe for almost the entire length, tarsi dark with some pale mottling on the first and some pale scales at base of second and third (no pale scales in Cq. sp. near linealis); abdominal tergites dark scaled except for small basal patches and larger lateral patches of pale scales, sternites pale scaled with dark scales medially joining to a dark apical band. (Click here for a large photograph of the adult), (Click here for an image of Coquillettidia larva).

Similar Species

Adult females of Cq. linealis are difficult to separate from an undescribed species known as "Coquillettidia species near linealis" which has no basal pale patch on second tarsus; Ae. procax, Ae. rubrithorax and Ae. rupestris are superficially similar but these can be readily separated by their pale tergal basal bands and wider pale tarsal bands.

Geographic Distribution

Habits & Habitats

Adults are generally most common from late-spring through summer but periods of peak abundance vary with region; they attack humans readily (as well as other animals), and bite during the day as well as evening and night.

Vector & Pest Status

Cq. linealis can be a significant nuisance pest in some localities in both coastal and inland areas but is not generally regarded as a major problem; Ross River  and Barmah Forest virus has been isolated from the species on the north and south coasts of NSW and in the inland southwest, and it should be considered as a vector of concern.

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

top of page