Phil Bendle Collection:Mosquito (Maorigoeldia argyropus) NZ mosquito

Kingdom: Animalia
Branch: Arthropoda
Class: Insecta
Subclass: Pterygota
Sub-class: Neoptera
Order: Diptera
Suborder: Nematocera
Infraorder: Culicomorpha
Family:  Culicidae
Subfamily:  Culicinae
Tribe: Sabethini
Genus: Maorigoeldia
Species: M. argyropus
Binomial name: Maorigoeldia argyropus
Common name: New Zealand mosquito

The genus Maorigoeldia includes a single species, Maorigoeldia argyropus. It is a large dark monotypic mosquito endemic to New Zealand which has distinctive silvery/bluish scaling on the head and thorax; this makes it easily distinguishable from other New Zealand mosquito species. It is found throughout New Zealand. There is at present some evidence that M. argyropus may be slowly disappearing from many sites throughout New Zealand, and that its long-term survival could be at risk.
The larvae of M. argyropus are found in water in tree-holes, pools in drying streams and in various artificial containers near forests. The larvae rest on the bottom of the cavity with the dorsal surface down and seldom come to the surface to obtain air. Females have been observed resting on the trunks of trees and approaching humans without landing or biting.  It does not appear to feed on blood and has no significant pest status.

Reference:
[Reference:%20http://www.ento.org.nz/nzentomologist/free_issues/NZEnto28_1_2005/VOl%2028-95-99.pdf%20%20http://www.smsl.co.nz/site/southernmonitoring/files/NZB/Maorigoeldia%20new%20profile%20Apr%2008.pdf http://www.smsl.co.nz/site/southernmonitoring/files/NZB/Maorigoeldia%20new%20profile%20Apr%2008.pdf]  

Photographed New Plymouth mid-January.
 

 

Thanks to Wikipedia for text and information http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/

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