Australian elephant mosquito
| Australian elephant mosquito | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Adult | |
 | |
| Larva | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Clade: | Pancrustacea |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Culicidae |
| Genus: | Toxorhynchites |
| Species: | T. speciosus |
| Binomial name | |
| Toxorhynchites speciosus (Skuse, 1889) | |
The Australian elephant mosquito (Toxorhynchites speciosus) is a species of mosquito in the genus Toxorhynchites, also known as elephant mosquitoes. It is the largest mosquito in the world.[1]
Description
T. speciosus are mosquitos with a long, black, downwards proboscis which are half the length of the mosquito. Their proboscis are also distinctively backwards.[2] Their body's are metallic purple and blue with silver markings and tufts of scales along the side of the abdomen.[3] Their hind legs have a pale band near the base of the first tarsal segment and a pale dark tip on the second tarsal segment.[2]
Distribution
This species is Found along the coast and hinterland of New South Wales, Queensland and the Northern Territory.[2]
Behavior
Adult T. speciosus are not blood feeders and are not attracted to humans. They feed of nectar and plant juices.[2]
References
- ↑ Levin, Nancy (20 October 2023). "5 Largest Mostquito Species In The World".
- 1 2 3 4 "Toxorhynchites speciosus". Archived from the original on 23 February 2022. Retrieved 29 July 2026.
- ↑ "Toxorhynchites (Toxorhynchites) speciosus (Skuse, 1889)". Retrieved 29 July 2026.
External links
Data related to Toxorhynchites speciosus at Wikispecies
Media related to Toxorhynchites speciosus at Wikimedia Commons