Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Culex pipiens? = Culex pipiens group

Posted by Tony Irwin on 13-09-2017 20:22
#14

The tri-lobed scutellum is indicative of the subfamily Culicinae, which includes Culex, Culiseta, Aedes, Ochlerotatus, Coquillettidia and Orthopodomyia among others. Only the Anophelinae have a simply rounded scutellum. The palps are indeed short, which is another good way to distinguish the females of Culicinae from Anophelinae. With the exception of Aedes (sensu stricto), all male mosquitoes have long palps. Apart from the genitalia, the sexes can be separated by the antennae, which are more densely and longer-haired in the male. The dense covering of scales on the abdomen is typical of Culicinae, but not Anophelinae. But beware of old specimens - the scales are easily lost.