Predatory Mosquito - Toxorhynchites speciosus
Family Culicidae
This page contains pictures and information about Predatory Mosquitoes that we found in the Brisbane area, Queensland, Australia.
- Body length 12mm
- This mosquito is exceptionally large and fortunately a non-blood-sucking species.
- We some time found this fly resting on leaf or tree trunk near Bulimba Creek. Its wing patterns mimic a head on its end tip. This is quite a large mosquito. Notice its plumose bushy antenna, this shows that the mosquito is a male.
- Also notice its long curved mouthparts. This large mosquito species has a distinctive bent proboscis. Fortunately this species does not require a blood meal. They suck plant sap and nectar, not blood. Their larvae are predator of other mosquito larvae.
- Also notice it feather shaped antenna.
- Reference:
- 1. Wildlife of Tropical North Queensland - Queensland Museum Publications 2000, p104.
