About Psorophora howardii Coquillett, 1901
Psorophora howardii Coquillett, 1901 is a very large mosquito species with shaggy legs. Adults reach a total length of 8 to 10 mm, and their wing length ranges from 6.0–6.5 mm (0.24–0.26 in). The scales covering the wings are narrow and dark brown. The proboscis is long, brown, and covered in setae. The palpi are also brown and covered in setae, and are nearly half as long as the proboscis. The head is covered in broad, flat, grayish-white scales, with the exception of a narrow median bare stripe running down its center. The thorax is colored dark brown to black. The abdomen has a broad median patch of white scales. The legs are colored dark yellow and purple. Adult female Psorophora howardii are persistent biters that will attack hosts at any time of day. Due to their large size, they can puncture through multiple layers of clothing including a coat, a vest, and two shirts. This species is capable of spreading West Nile virus. This mosquito is distributed across the Southeastern United States, Mexico, the West Indies, and Central America. It breeds in rain pools, grassy ditches, and ground depressions. In coastal southeastern Florida, it can also be found in citrus furrow irrigation systems, where it lays its eggs low in the furrows. Eggs hatch in response to rainfall and irrigation.
