Mosquito - Aedes sp.?

NickU · #1 (**permalink**) 18-03-2010, 12:54 PM

Can anyone confirm my tentative ID for this large black and white mosquito as a female Aedes geniculatus? A treehole breeding species.

Photographed in Wiltshire (limestone grassland habitat near woodland) on 27.6.09

NickU

Rossco · #2 (**permalink**) 19-03-2010, 11:25 AM

Any other images of this specimen? It looks like a culicine mosquito of some sort, but not convinced that it's an Aedes spp. I can't see any evidence of bristles behind the spiracle on the thorax, but this might be the resolution of the image. The golden bristles on the posterior of the thorax are clearly visible, but there are no similar bristles behind the visible spiracle. It might be an idea to post this on the dipterist's forum:

The Society for the study of flies (Diptera)

Let us know what you find out.

NickU · #3 (**permalink**) 19-03-2010, 12:53 PM

Many thanks for the feedback. Looking at my original photos at high resolution, I think there are some clear bristles behind the spiracle and they might just be visible on this low res, closer crop of another shot.

Also, I did also get some feedback today from the Diptera.info site, from Tony Irwin of Norwich Castle Museum, who confirmed it as a female Aedes geniculatus. Maybe a lucky guess of mine as my tentative ID was based solely on comparison with online photos, but maybe - sometimes - that works!

Nick