Posted by desversen on 18-05-2016 10:35
#1
Hello, and thank you for accepting me in this forum ! :)
I'm studing the north italian mosquitoes and I wish to find a serie of pictures of some species I find in my area, to better train my eyes.
I need Ochlerotatus caspius and O. geniculatus, Aedes albopictus and A. vexans and Culex pipiens and C. hortensis ... maybe also Anopheles maculipennis and A. plumbeus .
Do you know where I can find a great serie of pictures ? thanks ! :)
Daniel
Posted by desversen on 18-05-2016 17:42
#2
For example I observed those individuals yesterday, they are very black, seems Aedes but not A. albopictus (without the white stripe on the scutellum)
what do you think?
Thanks again
Posted by Tony Irwin on 19-05-2016 00:46
#3
To identify female mosquitoes, you really need dry specimens that are in good condition, and haven't lost their scales or legs. (Most species appear black when the scales are missing.) Males are more easily identified from poor quality specimens, including those collected in liquid. Identifying specimens by comparing them to photos will inevitably lead to mistakes, although some species are distinctive and can be done (if they are in good condition!). Your best strategy would be to rear specimens, or collect freshly emerged material and form a reference collection, carefully identified using a microscope and a good key. Good luck! :)