Culex coronator
This record describes Culex coronator (species). Recorded family: Culicidae. Recorded order: Diptera.
Identification and Appearance
One of a few Culex with banded legs. In the original description Dyar and Knab wrote, This is a most inoffensive mosquito. Although breeding in myriads in all roadside puddles it seems not to bite and does not enter houses.
Identification notes
One of a few Culex with banded legs.
Classification
Habitat and Range
Geographic Range
Neotropics and southern USA. Once found only along the Mexican border, C. coronator has spread rapidly in the past 20 years to reach Georgia.
Additional species information
Species notes from the sources
Etymology: The air tube has a "crown of coarse spikes" (Dyar and Knab, 1906).
About Flies: the wider group
Order-level background for Diptera, the group containing Culex coronator. 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 Culex coronator (5)
Photo credits: Contributed by John F. Carr
Frequently Asked Questions About Culex coronator
What is Culex coronator?
Culex coronator is a species in the family Culicidae, within the order Diptera.
How do you identify Culex coronator?
One of a few Culex with banded legs.
Where is Culex coronator found?
Range: Neotropics and southern USA. Once found only along the Mexican border, C. coronator has spread rapidly in the past 20 years to reach Georgia.