Skip to main content
Today is World Environment Day!
Close

Mosquito Eater (female)

Toxorhynchites speciosus

Photo by JamesPriest2
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

-33.7761, 150.783

Field Notes

Description:

Large species of mosquito. This is a female with the noticeable bent proboscis. Totally harmless to humans. Both male and female feed on flower nectar. Beneficial as this mosquito's larvae feed on the larvae of the blood sucking mosquito species. They make a sound like normal blood sucking mosquitos but much louder

Habitat:

I generally see a single one of these mosquitos in my garden at a time. either resting on a leaf as in the photo or feeding on flower nectar

Species ID Suggestions

Comments (3)
JamesPriest2
Thank you Neil for the link and the compliment. I had seen the name elephant mosquito before, but it was always listed for another variety from the same family found in Asia. I like the name Mosqutio Eater so I'll use that :-)
Neil Ross
Cool spotting by the way, James. Great photo!
Neil Ross
The genus "Toxorhynchites", also called elephant mosquito or mosquito eater, is a genus of diurnal and often relatively colorful mosquitoes.... https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toxorhynchites

Tags

Photographed
PublishedFebruary 17, 2021

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies