| Psorophora howardii | |
|---|---|
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Culicidae |
| Genus: | Psorophora |
| Species: | P. howardii |
| Binomial name | |
| Psorophora howardii Coquillett, 1901 [1] |
|
Psorophora howardii is a species of mosquito. The mosquito was described by the American entomologist Daniel William Coquillett in 1901.
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The mosquito is very large, has shaggy legs, and has a wing length of 6.0–6.5 millimeters (0.24–0.26 in).[2] The scales on the wings are narrow and dark brown. The proboscis is long and brown. The palpi are nearly half as long as the proboscis and brown. The proboscis and the palpi are covered with setae. The head has broad, flat, grayish-white scales except for a narrow median bare stripe. The thorax is dark brown to black. The abdomen has a broad median patch of white scales. The legs are dark yellow and purple.[3] The adult females are persistent biters and will attack at any time of the day.[4] The mosquito can spread the West Nile virus.[5] The mosquito can puncture clothing such as through a coat, vest, and two shirts since the species is 8 to 10 millimeters long.[6]
The mosquito can be found in the Southeastern United States, Mexico, the West Indies, and Central America.[4] The species breeds in rain pools, grassy ditches and depressions.[2] The mosquito can be found in citrus furrow irrigation systems in coastal southeastern Florida. The species oviposited low in the furrows. The eggs were hatched by rainfall and irrigation.[7]
The larvae occur from March to October. The larvae can be found in unshaded or partly shaded temporary rain-filled pools. They are large,[4] and predate on the larvae of other mosquitoes.[3] A way to get a field sample is to use a 4 foot handle so that there will be a minimum of disturbance to the larvae. An area sampler is used after the dipper which catches more.[8]