Coquillettidia perturbans
This record describes Coquillettidia perturbans (species). Recorded family: Culicidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
Banded legs and wide pale band around base of proboscis - FMEL Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory - FMEL Larvae: - Distal end of siphon with sharp tooth - Head wider than long - Complete saddle Adult Female: - Proboscis dark scaled with a median band of white scales - Scutum mainly golden brown - Abdomen bluntly rounded - Abdomen dark scaled - First tarsal segment of each leg with a median band, other segments with broad pale basal bands - Wings are pale and dark scales intermixed The larvae, unlike any other mosquito genus except Mansonia , have saw-like projections next to the siphon to pierce the airtubes of a plant. Therefore, the larvae never need to surface for air. The larvae are also known to dig themselves beneath mud. The adults are good vectors of Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE) and West Nile Virus (WNV).
Wikipedia reference for Coquillettidia perturbans: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coquillettidia_perturbans.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Habitat
The larvae live in permanent bodies of muddy water.
Geographic Range
throughout most of US and southern Canada, also in Mexico as well as in Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe.
Seasonal Activity
Larvae: All year Adults: mostly: June-Aug (BG data)
Diet and Behavior
Diet: Females prefer the blood of birds and mammals
Life History
- Overwinters as a larva - Univoltine
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Coquillettidia perturbans. Species-specific details appear above.
Group overview
Diptera includes over 150,000 described species of flies, mosquitoes, and midges. Mosquitoes are the deadliest animal on Earth (CDC). Malaria alone causes ~249 million cases and over 608,000 deaths annually, mostly children under 5 (WHO). Vector-borne diseases account for over 17% of all infectious diseases, causing 700,000+ deaths per year.
Ecological role of the group
Despite their disease impact, flies are critical decomposers and pollinators. Hoverflies alone pollinate hundreds of crop and wildflower species. Flies are also the primary food source for many birds, bats, and fish. Forensic entomology relies heavily on fly species for crime scene analysis.
Economic and practical significance of the group
In the U.S., vector-borne disease cases tripled between 2004-2016, with over 640,000 cases reported in that period (CDC). Tickborne diseases doubled from 22,000 to 48,000 annual reports. Globally, mosquito-borne diseases cost billions in healthcare and lost productivity.
Recorded sources for this group: WHO, CDC, PNAS. Imported estimates may describe particular regions or reporting periods.
Photos of Coquillettidia perturbans (3)
Photo credits: Contributed by tom murray; Additional contributions by Robin McLeod , Omar Fahmy , Mike Quinn
Frequently Asked Questions About Coquillettidia perturbans
What is Coquillettidia perturbans?
Coquillettidia perturbans is a species in the family Culicidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Coquillettidia perturbans?
Banded legs and wide pale band around base of proboscis - FMEL Florida Medical Entomology Laboratory - FMEL Larvae: - Distal end of siphon with sharp tooth - Head wider than long - Complete saddle Adult Female: - Proboscis dark scaled with a median band of white scales - Scutum mainly golden brown - Abdomen bluntly rounded - Abdomen dark scaled - First tarsal segment of each leg with a median band, other segments with broad pale basal bands - Wings are pale and dark scales intermixed
Where is Coquillettidia perturbans found?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Habitat | The larvae live in permanent bodies of muddy water. |
| Range | throughout most of US and southern Canada, also in Mexico as well as in Africa, Asia, Australia and Europe. |
What does Coquillettidia perturbans eat?
The diet of the Coquillettidia perturbans includes Females prefer the blood of birds and mammals.
When is Coquillettidia perturbans active?
Coquillettidia perturbans: seasonal activity - Larvae: All year Adults: mostly: June-Aug (BG data).
What is the life cycle of a Coquillettidia perturbans?
- Overwinters as a larva - Univoltine