Morphology of Mosquitoes

Abstract

Mosquitoes differ from all other members of the Nematocera by having a long, scaled proboscis (labium and stylets), always longer than the thorax, which projects forwards together with the maxillary palps (Fig. 5.1). The latter are as long as or longer than the proboscis in males of most species and females of the genus Anopheles. The head, thorax and abdomen are covered with scales and setae, and the extent of coverage is genus specific. The legs, wing margins and wing veins are typically clothed with scales. The closest resemblance of the body shape is found within the families of slender, long-legged crane flies (Tipulidae) and non-biting midges (Chironomidae), the latter often being mistaken for mosquitoes, especially around artificial light at night. However, none of these families has mouthparts for piercing and sucking. The short mandibulate mouthparts of the Tipulidae are of the biting and chewing type and articulated on the tip of a prolonged, beaklike gnathocephalon. The Chironomidae usually have a reduced gnathocephalon and biting mouthparts. In addition, the Chironomidae possess a conspicuously humped thorax and often particularly long, forward-facing fore legs.