About Psorophora ferox (Humboldt, 1819)
This species is scientifically named Psorophora ferox (Humboldt, 1819). Adult Psorophora ferox have a thorax covered in dark scales, interspersed with flecks of lighter yellowish scales. The abdomen is mostly covered in dark scales on its dorsal side, and yellowish on its ventral side. These yellowish scales form apicolateral triangular patches. The abdominal dorsum has a purple sheen. The legs are mostly dark, with white scales on the last two tarsal segments. Female wing length ranges from approximately 3.7 to 4.0 mm. The proboscis is long and dark. Psorophora ferox is distributed across the eastern United States and southeastern Canada, extending south through Mexico, Central America, South America, and the Caribbean. Regarding medical significance, Psorophora ferox carries multiple types of disease, although it is not classified as a major disease vector. It is known to carry Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEE). It has been identified as a minor vector of West Nile virus (WNV) in New York. Several viruses, including Una virus and Ilheus virus, have been detected in this mosquito species in the Amazon region. In Central and South America, Psorophora ferox carries the larvae of Dermatobia hominis, the human bot fly — a parasite whose larvae develop inside the flesh of mammalian hosts.
