- Psorophora ciliata is a large, aggressive mosquito species native to North and Central America, especially common in the southeastern United States.
- It belongs to the subfamily Culicinae and is one of the most easily recognized mosquito species due to its unusually large size, striking yellow-and-black coloration, and feather-like (plumose) scales on its legs and body. Sometimes called the “gallinipper,” this species is known for its painful bite, aggressive behavior, and strong flight capabilities, often traveling long distances in search of hosts.
- Adult Psorophora ciliata are among the largest mosquitoes in North America, with wingspans reaching over 6–10 mm and bodies that appear robust and hairy. The hind legs are especially long and covered in prominent tufts of scales, which give the mosquito a distinctive, bristly appearance. Females are ferocious daytime and twilight feeders, actively seeking blood meals from a wide range of mammals, birds, and humans. Their powerful flight and determined biting behavior make them a significant nuisance species, especially in rural and agricultural areas following heavy rains.
- The breeding habitats of Psorophora ciliata are typically temporary pools and flooded lowlands, including roadside ditches, grassy fields, and pastures that collect standing water after rain. The species is an explosive breeder, taking advantage of ephemeral water bodies that form following storms or seasonal flooding. Females lay their eggs on moist soil or vegetation, where they remain dormant until rainwater triggers mass hatching. This adaptation allows the species to rapidly colonize transient habitats, leading to sudden outbreaks of large, biting populations.
- The larvae of P. ciliata are also noteworthy for their size and behavior. Known as predatory larvae, they feed on other aquatic invertebrates, including larvae of other mosquito species. This makes them both ecological competitors and natural population regulators in certain breeding sites. Larval development is rapid, often completing within a week in warm conditions, which contributes to the species’ ability to surge in numbers quickly after rainfall.
- From a public health standpoint, Psorophora ciliata is not considered a primary vector of major human diseases, but it has been shown to be competent in laboratory settings for the transmission of arboviruses such as West Nile virus (WNV), Eastern equine encephalitis virus (EEEV), and Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus (VEEV). Due to its generalist feeding behavior and frequent contact with both avian and mammalian hosts, it is considered a potential bridge vector, although its role in natural transmission cycles remains limited compared to other mosquito species.
