Shaggy-Legged Gallnipper are larger than other mosquitoes and are six times the size of a Common House Mosquito. They are called so because of their aggressive behaviour. Their bite is as pricking as that of a needle. Females are more aggressive than the males and prefer feeding on the blood of large mammals. Shaggy-Legged Gallnippers are more active during the summer.
| Common name | Shaggy-legged Gallnipper |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Psorophora Ciliata |
| Size | 6 to 9 mm |
| COLOR | Yellow with black tip |
| Habitat | Hiding in woodlands and fields |
| Life span | Two to three weeks |
Eggs:Female Mosquitoes lay eggs either as a single egg on moist soil or as an egg raft on top of ephemeral pools of water. Eggs are “elongate ovoid” in shape measuring about 0.8mm in length and 0.4mm in diameter at their widest girth. Their outer surface is white when first deposited, but later turns black. Spine projections are directed towards the anterior.
Larva: The first instar larvae are filter feeders whereas second, third and fourth instar larvae are predacious to aquatic invertebrates. Fourth instar larvae have a square shaped head with the dorsal side of the head curved inwards. The mouth parts of the larvae have evolved to hold and grasp the prey.
Pupa:After Fourth stage of larvae, it emerges in pupae stage within 1 or 2 days.
Adult:Adults emerge in only six days after the eggs hatch. It is having a wing length of 6.0 to 6.7mm. Adults are large and yellow coloured. The proboscis is yellow with black tip. The abdomen is pale with a paler tip. The thorax is dark brown with a thin, bright yellow stripe which goes down the middle with two dark stripes on each side and the ‘Shaggy’ or ‘Feathery’ pronounced dark scales on the hind leg segments.Adults emerge in only six days after the eggs hatch. It is having a wing length of 6.0 to 6.7mm. Adults are large and yellow coloured. The proboscis is yellow with black tip. The abdomen is pale with a paler tip. The thorax is dark brown with a thin, bright yellow stripe which goes down the middle with two dark stripes on each side and the ‘Shaggy’ or ‘Feathery’ pronounced dark scales on the hind leg segments.The average lifespan is 2 to 3 weeks.
