Psorophora ferox

Psorophora ferox is a medium-sized mosquito native to much of North and South America. It inhabits wet woodlands, laying its eggs in temporary pools filled with rainwater. Larvae develop during summer in North America. They are aggressive feeders and give painful bites.[1][2] The mosquito is reported to be active during both day and night.[3]

Psorophora ferox
Female Psorophora ferox
Scientific classification
Kingdom:
Animalia
Phylum:
Arthropoda
Class:
Insecta
Order:
Diptera
Family:
Culicidae
Genus:
Psorophora
Species:
P. ferox
Binomial name
Psorophora ferox
(Humboldt, 1819)

Description

The adult's thorax is covered in dark scales with flecks of lighter yellowish scales. The abdomen is mostly dark-scaled dorsally, and yellowish ventrally. These yellowish scales form apicolateral triangular patches. The dorsum reflects a purple color. The legs are largely dark with white scales on the last two tarsal segments. The female's wings range from around 3.7-4.0 mm. The proboscis is long and dark.[1]

Range

Ps. ferox occurs throughout the eastern United States and southeastern Canada, south through Mexico, Central and South America, and the Caribbean.[1]

Medical Significance

Ps. ferox carries a number of diseases, although it is not considered a major vector. It is known to carry Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE). It was found to be a minor vector of West Nile virus (WNV) in New York. Several viruses have been found in this mosquito in the Amazon, such as Una virus and Ilheus virus. In Central and South America, the mosquito carries the larvae of Dermatobia hominis, the human bot fly, a parasite whose larvae develop inside the flesh of a mammal host.[2]

References
  1. Carpenter SJ, LaCasse, WJ. Mosquitoes of North America [California library reprint series edition 1974]. Berkeley, Los Angeles, London: UC Press; 1955. 487 pp.
  2. Holderman C, Connelly CR. Psorophora ferox [Internet]. Entomology & Nematology Department, University of Florida. 2015 Aug [cited 2016 Aug 1]. Available from: http://entnemdept.ufl.edu/creatures/aquatic/Psorophora_ferox.htm
  3. Arnett R. Notes on the distribution, habits, and habitats of some Panama Culicines (Diptera: Culicidae), (continued). Journal of the New York Entomological Society. 1949;57(4):233-51.
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