Subject: Metallic mosquito
Geographic location of the bug: Ohio
Date: 11/28/2017
Time: 12:58 AM EDT
Noticed this golden metallic looking mosquito with long legs on some Golden Rod Would love to know what type of insect this is. Thank You
How you want your letter signed: Alane
Dear Alane,
We believe this large male Mosquito is a Gallinipper, Psorophora ciliata, based on this BugGuide image. According to BugGuide: “The word gallinipper originated as a vernacular term in the southeastern US referring to ‘a large mosquito or other insect that has a painful bite or sting’ and has appeared in folk tales, traditional minstrel songs, and a blues song referencing a large mosquito with a ‘fearsome bite’ (McCann 2006)” and “one of the largest mosquitoes in the U.S. Not known to vector any mosquito-borne pathogens.” We are postdating your submission to go live to our site later in the month when our editorial staff is away for the holidays.
This is more likely a Psorophora horrida based on the scutum coloration of yellowish scales laterally and the broad median longitudinal stripe of dark scales. The legs have more of a sleek look, as opposed to the shaggy appearance of a gallinipper, as well as a purplish hue to the legs with what appears to be white “socks” on the tarsomeres of the hindleg segments 4 and 5. It also fits the “golden metallic” look described by the submitter.
Thanks for that information. BugGuide has no images of the species.