A worldwide community photographing and learning about wildlife
Project Noah Nature School
Toxorhynchites speciosus
Large mosquito to approx 12mm. In the sunlight it looked bluish from above. I could see iridescence on its wings. Despite its size it is harmless to humans. Look closely at Pic 1, note the down curved proboscis. It is among the few kinds of mosquito that do not consume blood. The adults subsist on carbohydrate-rich materials, such as honeydew, or saps and juices from damaged plants, fruit, and nectar. Their larvae are predators of other mosquito larvae.
Forest at Cattana Wetlands QLD
Spotted on Mar 29, 2013
Submitted on Apr 1, 2013
2 Comments
Thanks Shanna. Lucky I didn't whack this one. Their larvae actually predate on the larvae of the Dengue Fever mossies. This is one of the good guys.
Wow, amazing pics Andrea. Feathery antennae, who would've thought?!