Long-legged mosquito - why shouldn’t you be afraid of it?

Is blood included in the centipede's diet?

For many people, the sight of a large mosquito with long legs causes panic. After all, people don’t know how dangerous the large centipede mosquito is. To understand this, it is necessary to study their taste preferences and structural features. Although these insects have a long proboscis, they are not dangerous to humans. After all, they receive nutrients not from blood, but from plant sap. To obtain nectar, the largest mosquitoes destroy the integrity of the root system, plant stems or algae.

Imago

The body length of most long-legged mosquitoes is 2–60 mm, although some tropical representatives reach 10 cm[5]. The head has an elongated shape, forming a “stigma”. It bears long antennae, which in different representatives consist of 12-19 thin segments (usually 13)[5]. In addition to a pair of large compound eyes, rudimentary simple ocelli may be present on the head[5]. The characteristic appearance of these mosquitoes is given by their legs, which are greatly elongated due to the shins and paws[5]. All representatives (except the genus Indotipula

) the tibia bears large processes called
spurs
[5].

Wing structure

The venation of the wings is formed as follows: Sc

merges through
Sc
2 into
R
, rarely
Sc
1 or its rudiment is present;
R
2 is normal, merges into
C
, less often partially or entirely rudimentary;
M
with four branches, discoidal cell usually present;
There are two anal veins, A
2 is usually longer than half of
A
1, the anal angle is distinct in most genera[5].

Genitalia and ovipositor

The hypopygidium has a complex structure, with well-separated gonostyli and gonopleurites; less often, the gonostyli are reduced[5]. Aedeagus (copulatory organ) in the form of a very long, spirally coiled tube[5]. The ovipositor of female centipedes usually has highly scleritized cerci and valvae, sometimes the valvae are greatly reduced[5].

Features of the insect

Centipede is what people call large mosquitoes. The scientific name for large insects is caramora. Large mosquitoes belong to the order Diptera, as well as long-whiskered ones. Karamora received such an interesting name because of its long legs. Since the body of the centipede has a small diameter, the caramora has an awkward and frightening appearance. Scientists often call thin legs limbs. Blood-sucking pests of other families do not have such an interesting feature.

The largest mosquito has an interesting feature that is rarely found among insects. Pests with long legs have a special defense mechanism with which they escape from predators. Few people know what this mechanism is called. Entomological scientists called this feature autotomy. The essence of this protection is that a huge mosquito discards a leg captured by a reptile or bird. This allows him to save his own life. A similar principle of protection is found in lizards that discard their tail.

Some species of mosquitoes are similar to the largest mosquitoes. This makes it difficult for people to know if a large mosquito is dangerous to them. After all, it is difficult for them to distinguish Karamora from a pest that carries infectious diseases.

The long-legged mosquito is found in autumn, spring, and also in summer. In winter, the Karamora falls into torpor or a kind of suspended animation. This process continues until the ambient temperature rises to a certain point. The speed at which pests fly is low. You can find caramora near water bodies and in dense thickets of bushes.

Origin of the species and description

Photo: Long-legged mosquito

Long-legged mosquitoes are known to mankind from Cretaceous and Tertiary amber deposits. The oldest evidence is Lebanese amber (Lower Cretaceous, about 130 million years old), the youngest example is found in Dominican amber, where it has been present since the Miocene (Neogene period) for 15 to 40 million years. Representatives of more than 30 genera have been discovered in Baltic amber, some of which still exist today.

Video: Long-legged mosquito

Fun fact: Tipulidae is one of the largest groups of mosquitoes, containing more than 526 genera and subgenera. Most centipede mosquitoes have been described by entomologist Charles Alexander, a mosquito specialist, in more than 1,000 scientific publications.

The phylogenetic position of the Tipulidae mosquito remains unknown. The classic view is that they are an early branch of Diptera - possibly with winter mosquitoes (Trichoceridae), they are the sister group of all other Diptera - inferior to modern species. Taking into account the data of molecular studies, it is possible to compare the derived characteristics of the larvae, similar to those of the “higher” dipterous insects.

Pediciidae and Tipulidae are sister groups, the "limoniids" are paraphyletic clades, and the Cylindrotominae appear to be a relict group, much better represented in the Tertiary. Tipulidae mosquitoes may have evolved from ancestors in the Upper Jurassic. The oldest examples of long-legged mosquitoes were found in Upper Jurassic limestones. In addition, representatives of the family were discovered in the Cretaceous of Brazil and Spain, and later in the Khabarovsk Territory. Also, remains of insect species can be found in Eocene limestones located near Verona.

Harm from centipedes

However, one cannot say that this large mosquito is completely harmless. Without being a direct danger to humans, the centipede is capable of causing significant damage to forestry and agriculture. Some types of caramora are recognized as dangerous pests that attack fruit, vegetable and berry crops.

Thus, the larvae of the cabbage weed, living in the upper layers of the soil, feed on the roots of plants during the day, but at night they climb to the surface of the earth and gnaw leaves and stems. The marsh centipede also causes similar damage to vegetation.

Damage occurs most often in open ground, but sometimes even in protected ground, where larvae and eggs fall along with the introduced soil.

Precautionary measures to combat this pest are usually the following: treatment of seed materials and soil with special compositions during periods of egg laying and pupation of larvae. It is also effective to place special baits on the site, treated with a substance that is fatal to the larvae.

Waterlogged areas should be drained, the water level in the drainage system should be systematically adjusted, and weeds should be actively controlled. Taken together, such actions are quite effective in combating the damage that this large mosquito can cause to agriculture.

Long-legged mosquito: why is the giant dangerous for humans?

A long-legged insect, flying into the light of a lamp, causes panic among all the inhabitants of the house. Most people confidently claim that this is a malaria mosquito, which is very dangerous for humans. This is another erroneous opinion regarding the caramora, because this creature has nothing in common with the malaria mosquito, it cannot harm a person in any way, since it does not drink blood and does not bite.

While the long-legged mosquito is completely harmless to the human body, the thin-legged insect can cause great damage to plants. There are types of caramora that are rightfully considered dangerous pests. Vegetable, berry and fruit crops suffer greatly from such a large, voracious mosquito. Karamora is an undesirable inhabitant for both forest plantations and agriculture.

In residential premises, the giant mosquito feels modest and, having visited people, immediately tries to settle down in a secluded corner and does not at all want to catch the eye of the owners of the house. There is no question that the centipede can attack. So if you see such a long-legged miracle of nature in your corner, do not rush to kill it just because it looks like a malaria mosquito.

External signs

The Karamora mosquito has faceted and black eyes. Insects do not see the shade, they feel the warmth that comes from plants and people. The head, on which the long antennae are concentrated, is small in size. It is easy to distinguish a female from a male by the body. In the female, the red abdomen consists of 10 segments or letters. It's a little elongated. Therefore, females are often called ballerinas, because they look like these amazing dancers. Males have a larger abdomen, although the number of segments is the same.

These insects have wings that are almost transparent and of considerable length. Some subspecies differ in that spots are concentrated on the wings. The second pair of wings eventually transformed into halteres. The largest mosquitoes need them to move unhindered through forests. The oral apparatus does not include the chitinous teeth that mosquitoes and squeakers have. With the help of the proboscis, the centipede penetrates under the plant layer and extracts nectar. The facts that confirm whether large mosquitoes bite people or not are given by scientists.

Description of the appearance of the giant

It resembles a normal mosquito enlarged, but there are some differences in the body structure.

• The body size is 60 mm. In tropical countries, the giant mosquito grows up to 10 cm.
• Three pairs of thin legs make the caramora look like a spider. In case of danger, the centipede easily separates from its paw and quickly flies away.
• On the small head of the centipede there are long straight whiskers that act as an antenna, capture odors, and help navigate in space.
• Long transparent wings, underdeveloped wing flaps, which allow them to hover in the air in one place, and also create a characteristic squeak during flight.
• A large mosquito has an elongated, thin body, divided into a chest and abdomen. In females it eventually becomes wedge-shaped.
• The colors come in different colors - black, gray, brown, red, green, brown. The most common mosquito is the long-legged gray mosquito. The marsh centipede is bright orange in color with a red head. The second name is ballerina.
• The mouthparts of the centipede are in the form of a thin proboscis. Because of this, caramora is often called the weevil.
• Females have a long tail. The frightening-looking thorn is an ovipositor, not a sting at all, as many might think. Therefore, the long-tailed caramore is a female of the same species.

Centipede development stages

Adult flight occurs in mid-July. Females mate with males, and eggs are formed inside within a few days.

The mosquito lays numerous eggs in damp, moist soil. Clay substrate, turf, and peat are suitable for these purposes. At temperatures above 15 degrees Celsius, the larvae develop within 15 days. At the last stage they pupate. After half a month, adult adults appear. A huge mosquito produces only one population per year. In tropical countries, reproduction occurs constantly.

Larvae

Whether a large mosquito with long legs is dangerous or not can be judged by how much harm its larvae bring to humans. Females lay eggs in the soil, rotten wood, and under fallen leaves. These “fry”, dirty brown or gray in color, cannot be called cute by any stretch of the imagination.

However, much worse is their incredible gluttony. If large mosquitoes in Moscow consumed food on the same scale as in childhood, the capital's vegetation would be in trouble. Among the favorite “delicacies” of the larvae:

1. plant roots;
2. tree seedlings;
3. rotting leaves;
4. seaweed.

For residents of rural areas, the question of whether large mosquitoes are dangerous does not arise. Even if you do not take into account the risk of being bitten, the very presence of such insects means that larvae are developing somewhere nearby, for which garden plants are a very welcome treat.

Where does the giant with long legs live?

Large mosquitoes are found on many continents. The only exception is Antarctica. The climate on this continent is not suitable for reproduction and existence. People who live in Russia know exactly what kind of insects large mosquitoes are and how they differ from mosquitoes.

Large mosquitoes live:

• Near swamps and ponds with standing water.
• In forest areas.
• In dense bushes.

When selecting a place for existence and reproduction, the caramora chooses those places where the humidity level is quite high. At the same time, the centipede hides from the sun's rays. Such insects are never found in places where there are no ponds or other sources of water. This is because they require moisture for normal development.

To lay eggs, the caramora selects areas with moist soil or fresh foliage. After all, larvae and pupae require moisture for normal development. If there is no access to water or moisture, then the development period can increase significantly.

How does the centipede mosquito reproduce?

A kind of proboscis, which is required for laying eggs, is concentrated on the abdomen of a hefty insect. Using the spout, females place eggs under foliage or in moist soil. Huge mosquitoes perform such actions in order to preserve the clutch and prevent the death of offspring. Since pests lay a lot of eggs, the population of centipedes is rapidly increasing.

When choosing a place for laying, caramora chooses wet places. The eggs are placed in a peculiar shell, which has a black tint and a dense structure. The formed larvae of the large centipede mosquito move to bodies of water, as well as to rotting vegetation. At the next stage, a pupa is formed, which is distinguished by its cylindrical shape and the presence of spines. The pupae use these spines to get out of the soil and penetrate into the rotten bark of trees.

Many people wonder why large mosquitoes are dangerous. After all, their appearance often causes panic attacks. Large mosquitoes do not bite people to get more blood. After all, to raise offspring they require other nutrients. Scientists have given an exact answer to the question of whether they are dangerous or not.

Dietary features, habitat

The large mosquito in Russia is found in forested areas, swampy areas, near rivers and lakes. Less commonly seen near a private house, in a meadow. But some species willingly live in the garden and vegetable garden.

The insect receives the bulk of its nutrients at the larval stage, so some of them, as adults, do not eat anything at all. In most cases, the centipede mosquito feeds on flower nectar. A long proboscis is specially adapted for these purposes. The larvae feed on rotting grass and sap.

Nutritional Features

The proboscis of an adult long-legged mosquito is very delicate and is not intended for obtaining food. She can only consume water, nectar and pollen, which are in the public domain. There are caramor species whose adults are not eaten at all.

Larvae, unlike adults, live a very rich life. In a short period of time, they need to go through several moults and prepare for pupation, which requires large energy expenditures. This explains their gluttony. The main source of nutrition is plant roots, moss, algae, and humus.

The digestion of food rich in fiber is facilitated by single-celled organisms that populate the intestines of the larvae. By producing a special enzyme, they help the absorption of fiber.

What does it eat?

There are many myths about red mosquitoes related to the fact that they bite people and these bites are painful. But even if the pest bites, its bite does not cause any harm to a person. If a mosquito bites, then without proper treatment an infection develops, swelling or redness occurs. People who encounter Karamora may feel scared. Most often, those who are not aware of the existence of the centipede are frightened.

The main food for the centipede is nectar or plant juice. Caramora larvae feed on living plants. To do this, they approach the root system, which is located in moist soil. Farmers and owners of agricultural fields note that caramors periodically cause significant harm, destroying certain crops.

The biting reddish pest is often encountered by summer residents and owners of country houses. In the evening, caramora is located in dense bushes and wet grass. If a person who is not familiar with this amazing insect comes across a centipede, he may be scared. A pest that gets into an apartment or country house hides. To do this, it uses places where the color of the sun does not penetrate.

Measures to combat centipede

The fight against larvae requires an integrated approach. To exterminate the pest, the use of insecticides and poisoned baits should be combined with drainage of wetlands and deep fall plowing.

Agrotechnical measures

Agrotechnical measures that help fight the harmful centipede include:

• ensuring proper technical care of the drainage system of drained floodplain lands;
• systematic adjustment of the water level in the drainage system;
• weed control;
• reducing soil acidity by liming;
• timely, high-quality processing of row crop spacing;
• implementation of deep autumn plowing after harvesting.

Chemical method

This method of pest control involves timely treatment of the beds with the following preparations:

• pyrethroids;
• organophosphorus compounds;
• neonicotinoids.

It is recommended to treat the seed material with heptachlor and hexachlorane.

Before the larvae reach an older age, when they become less sensitive to pesticides, you should resort to setting traps.

Baits can be made from wood shavings and maize, which are sprayed with heptachlor. They are placed in early spring or autumn.

In an infected area, at the time of planting, granular preparations are introduced into the soil. They are based on the enteric contact insecticide diazinon. The most common of them are Thunder and Medvetox.

In field conditions, larvae are exterminated with a hexachlorane solution (12%). The product should be sprayed in the evening. At this time, the pest appears to feed.

Biological method of control

A biological method can also be used to combat harmful centipedes. It involves releasing the nematodes Steinernema carpocapsae onto the fields. They are excellent at eliminating caramora larvae.

The harmful centipede belongs to the mosquito family. It is also called caramora. The insect does not pose a threat to people, but it harms agricultural crops. Mass reproduction of the pest threatens damage to cereals, flax and vegetable crops. The fight against centipede should be comprehensive.

Long-legged mosquitoes

This is usually the question that most interests a person if he has encountered a giant mosquito for the first time. In fact, the caramora at the physiological level does not have the ability to feed on blood. The thing is that their body lacks piercing bristles, which are used to pierce the skin of their prey. That is why they are absolutely unable to bite a person or any other warm-blooded creature.

To be fair, it should be noted that some centipedes still have a proboscis in their body structure. However, it is designed to allow the insect to feed on the nectar and pollen of flowering plants. Although not all mosquitoes even need food. Many of them are able to live without this natural process. Once the caramors leave the confines of their pupa, they have only one most important task: lay eggs and give birth to the next offspring.

Main harm

It has already been said above that centipedes are not capable of biting. At the same time, they cannot be called completely harmless. They cause the main damage to agricultural crops. If the future crop is grown on peat bogs or mineral soils, then mosquito larvae, if their numbers are large enough, can cause harm to it.

In the process of growing berries, legumes, cereals, tubers and root crops, it is also necessary to combat the above type of mosquitoes. The fact is that during the preparatory period for pupation, these insects most of all need to increase their energy reserves. That is why they feed on the undeveloped fruits of the future harvest. At the same time, centipedes can use almost any plant to grow offspring. Agricultural experts have actually been fighting large mosquitoes for quite some time. To do this, they regularly plow the garden, using high-quality agricultural technology and effective insecticides. It would also be a good idea to get rid of centipedes at home. Even if they do not cause real harm, no one will like such a “neighborhood”.

Do they bite or not?

The most important questions that haunt many adults and children: do large mosquitoes bite people and what will happen if a large mosquito bites? The fear of this insect is completely justified; seeing a mosquito of such impressive size is difficult to remain calm. However, there is no need to worry, the ballerina does not have piercing bristles, which can be used to pierce the skin. Therefore, the centipede simply physically cannot drink human blood.

The caramora can feed on the nectar of plants thanks to its long proboscis. There are a sufficient number of insects that have absolutely no need for a food source. After emerging from the chrysalis state, the ballerina's main task is to reproduce and lay eggs.

Differences from the mosquito mosquito

Let's look at how the centipede mosquito differs from the malaria mosquito, with which it is often confused:

• Anopheles have a brightly colored abdomen and a brown body. The color of Karamor can be very different, but most often it is gray with various shades;
• When preparing to suck blood, the malaria mosquito places its abdomen at an angle of 45 degrees to the plane of the body, while caramors, if they land on the human body, are located parallel to the surface;
• The huge mosquito has disproportionately long legs, while Anopheles mosquitoes have short legs.

When visually comparing malaria mosquitoes with other species, they have the greatest similarity in appearance with ordinary squeakers, while caramors have sizes that are 3-4 times larger than the size of an ordinary mosquito.

What does a long-legged mosquito look like?

Karamora looks like a huge mosquito, most often gray in color. Depending on the type, its body may have a greenish, yellowish or brownish tint, as well as be red or lilac.

First of all, attention is drawn to the gigantic body size of centipedes compared to standard mosquitoes. In particular, very long legs. The length of the body together with the legs of these mosquitoes is up to 6 cm, and in tropical species - up to 10 cm. In males, the body is thick at the top, and in females it is of uniform thickness along the entire length.

The head is elongated, with long antennae with an average of 13 segments. The eyes are large, faceted; in addition to them, simple ocelli may also be present. The proboscis is short. In the tail part there is an ovipositor in the shape of a long spike.

The legs are thin and greatly elongated by the tibia and tarsi. All mosquitoes, except the genus Indotipula, have spurs on their legs. The front pair of wings has spots, the wings are large and narrow. The back pair of wings are transformed into halteres, which help maintain balance in flight.

What to do if you notice a mosquito with long legs?

Typically, you don't need to do anything! This is an ordinary insect that is completely harmless to humans. If caramora ends up in your house, you need to find out the reason why it got there. If this is an isolated incident, the mosquito may have simply flown in through an open window or door. If Karamors begin to appear frequently, it’s worth thinking about.

The most common reason for the appearance of caramora in the house is the soil in which the eggs were located. Especially if you collected soil for flowers or seedlings somewhere in the forest, and did not purchase it in a specialized store.

Ballerinas lay eggs in the ground, moss, rotten wood and even in water. Therefore, when you bring home soil from the street, you run the risk of bringing along with it Karamor eggs (as well as other pests).

In this case, it is necessary to get rid of the contaminated soil. However, in any case, there is no need to panic - the caramora will not harm you, although it looks a little scary.

Interesting facts about the large Karamor mosquito

• Karamora lives from spring to autumn.
• It chooses damp places, forests, wetlands, however, it can often be found in the city.
• During the day it is usually passive. With the onset of darkness, it can fly into the room into the light, after which it loses its bearings and rushes about in search of a way out.
• Adults either do not feed at all or eat dew and flower nectar.
• Completely safe for humans.

Now you know the name of a large mosquito with long legs, and also that this insect is completely safe, so you should not panic when you encounter it. You can pick up large mosquitoes - they will not cause you any harm, although they look rather unpleasant.

When you see a caramora on the street, you don’t need to rush to leave or, conversely, try to kill it. Most likely, it will not show any activity or will simply fly away with a wave of a hand or a gust of wind. There is no need to be afraid of it - it will not harm you, and it has nothing to do with malaria.

Difference between the centipede and the malaria mosquito and the flycatcher

A large mosquito with long legs is very similar to the malarial representative with which it is confused. Despite the similar appearance, the centipede has longer legs. The malaria mosquito does not exceed 10 mm in size. Instead of a proboscis, the malaria mosquito has a sting. It received this name because it carries the disease with it. A bite is dangerous for contracting this disease.

There is some similarity between the large mosquito and the flycatcher. They have long legs extending from their body. Their size is up to 6 cm. There are no wings.

The food source is midges. It does not bite through human skin, although its bite is dangerous. If the poison gets into a crack in the skin, then this place turns red. Then it heals, because a person easily tolerates such poison.

The flycatcher is harmless and appears in the house where it catches flies. Does not harm household items. It has a high speed of movement. Therefore, it is not possible to catch it.

Large insects in nature have a frightening appearance. You shouldn't be afraid of them. The centipede just belongs to such species. What makes the situation worse is that it looks like malaria mosquitoes, which cause harm to humans. In fact, this mosquito is a harmless creature. It does not bite or feed on blood.

The largest mosquitoes in the world: the largest species of mosquitoes

According to zoologists, more than 3 thousand species of mosquitoes live on planet Earth; within Russia alone, 100 species of these annoying, and in most cases, blood-sucking insects are found. But among all the diversity, many representatives are harmless to humans and the environment, and we, turning to reference books and encyclopedias, comparing photos and descriptions, decided to find out what the largest mosquito in the world is.

Long-legged mosquitoes / Tipulidae

The largest representatives of the mosquito family are also called caramors, and they live in damp forests near fresh water bodies and in swamps.

You can meet such a mosquito with long legs on all continents of the planet, and, despite their size, they are completely harmless.

Body length ranges from 2 to 60 mm, but some inhabitants of the tropics grow up to 11 cm. So when asked what the largest caddis mosquito is, feel free to answer Karamor.

Types of long-legged mosquitoes

The world's fauna includes more than 4,200 species of long-legged mosquitoes, and for comparison, let's look at the largest representatives.

Holorusia mikado

A huge mosquito of the species Holorusia Mikado from the family Centipede, caught in the Chinese province of Sichuan, is considered to be the largest mosquito in the world today.

The wingspan of this giant of the mosquito world is 11.5 cm, but scientists are still silent about what caused this growth. Entomologist Zhao Li spent a lot of time studying this unique specimen.

The species was first discovered and studied in 1876. Despite its size, the giant mosquito of this species is harmless and flies very poorly.

Festive centipede / Ctenophora festiva

Because of the characteristic coloring of this mosquito from the family Centipedes, it is also called the decorated ctenophora, and they grow from 2 to 2.65 cm.

The body color is grayish-brown with yellow alternating stripes, which makes the mosquito look like a wasp. They live throughout Europe, in Russia, and in Ukraine the species is listed in the Red Book.

It is considered endangered, and the main reason is the cutting down of old forests, which are the natural habitat of the Festive Centipede.

Harmful centipede / Tipula paludosa

The species name itself already indicates that the mosquito is a pest of agricultural land.

The size of an adult individual with incredibly long legs reaches from 2 to 2.4 cm, and the mass of the mosquito does not exceed one gram. Settled in North America, Eurasia. It can be found in any region of Russia and in the countries of the post-Soviet space.

It causes great harm to flax crops, but can also harm other agricultural crops - potatoes, corn, barley.

Other types of mosquitoes

From centipedes, which are rightfully considered record holders in size, let us move on to consider other species of the diverse mosquito world.

Twitch mosquito / Chironomus

A rather large species of mosquito with long legs belongs to the huge family of chironomids from the order Diptera.

They fly in large groups, creating a characteristic hum in the air, and interestingly, this buzzing mosquito swarm consists predominantly of males. It got its name because when it sits on the surface, it twitches its paws.

In Rus', according to their squeak, they were also called Zvonets, and this name was fixed in reference books on entomology. It is completely harmless to humans, since it cannot bite, but it itself serves as excellent food for fish.

Tropical mosquitoes

As such, the name “tropical mosquitoes” is not used scientifically, but this is what we call many representatives of the world of mosquitoes that live in the tropical latitudes of the globe.

Yellow fever biter / Aedes aegypti

Because of its color, this species is also called the tiger mosquito, and it comes from Africa. Over time, it spread throughout the Pacific Islands and South America.

It is dangerous to humans because it is a carrier of many dangerous diseases, including yellow fever, Zika virus and dengue fever. The mosquito's weight is small, and it drinks 3-4 times its body weight in blood.

It can be identified by the characteristic white stripes on its legs. There are the same white stripes on the fore-back. They bite mainly in the evening and at dawn, but in urban conditions they can suck blood during the day.

By the way, mosquitoes are rightfully considered one of the most dangerous insects in the world. You can find out more about this on our website TheBiggest.ru by following the link.

Thick-mouthed mosquitoes / Chaoboridae

These insects prefer to live near water bodies as their habitat, as they belong to the family of long-whiskered dipterans.

Unlike their relatives, mosquitoes, they do not suck blood, and can generally do without food. But the larvae, developing in water, eat small crustaceans and the young of other insects.

These mosquitoes are colored light yellow and appear almost transparent. Mosquitoes grow up to 1 cm in length, and males are distinguished by characteristic feather-like antennae on their heads.

Squeak mosquito / Culex pipiens

It is worth mentioning this species, called the common mosquito in entomology. Although not the largest, it is perhaps one of the most common species of mosquitoes on the planet.

It lives almost all over the globe, and adult individuals grow up to 8 mm. Males feed on plant juices, but females also add human or animal blood to this diet.

During flight, this type of mosquito makes up to 1 thousand wing beats per second, which creates the characteristic, and so annoying, mosquito squeak.

Distribution and diversity

Representatives of the family inhabit all continents, being absent only in arid regions, on small oceanic islands with permanent ice or snow cover, and in the central regions of the Arctic and Antarctic. There are about 4,200 species in the world fauna[1][7]. Long-legged mosquitoes are represented by a significant number of species in all biogeographic regions (except Antarctica)[7]: