Elephant Mosquito

Description:

Toxorhynchites are unusually large mosquitoes; the wingspan may exceed 12 mm (0.4 inches) and the body length may exceed 7 mm (0.2 inches). Adults are frequently covered with iridescent scales and the proboscis has a pronounced 90-degree downward curve. Mosquitoes in the genus Toxorhynchites are predaceous as larvae on the immature stages of other mosquito species and often turn cannibalistic. Larvae are generally dark brown or reddish, with conspicuous hairs on the abdomen. The head capsule has a pair of powerful mandibles. Fourth-instar larvae can be more than 2 cm (0.8 inches) in length.