Species Details

Culiseta morsitans

Freshwater Invertebrate Collection Read more about this collection »

SeasonalitySpring to mid or late summer. IdentificationPleural areas largely devoid of scales except for a few post-spiracular scales; abdominal tergites banded or patched only basally with pale scales; scutal inegument dark brown; aedeagus distinctly diamond-shaped, pointed at the apex. Larva: very difficult to distinguish from C. minnesotae. Antennae as long as head capsule; antennal seta 1-A inserted in the distal third, with branches extending beyond the tip of the antenna; siphon six times longer than greatest width or longer; pecten teeth of the siphon larger than minnesotae; head setae 5-C and 7-C usually with fewer than 6 and 9 branches respectively, seta 4-X (ventral brush) of anal segment generally with 18 or fewer setae.

Scientific Name Culiseta morsitans Seasonality Spring to mid or late summer. Identification
Pleural areas largely devoid of scales except for a few post-spiracular scales; abdominal tergites banded or patched only basally with pale scales; scutal inegument dark brown; aedeagus distinctly diamond-shaped,…
Pleural areas largely devoid of scales except for a few post-spiracular scales; abdominal tergites banded or patched only basally with pale scales; scutal inegument dark brown; aedeagus distinctly diamond-shaped, pointed at the apex. Larva: very difficult to distinguish from C. minnesotae. Antennae as long as head capsule; antennal seta 1-A inserted in the distal third, with branches extending beyond the tip of the antenna; siphon six times longer than greatest width or longer; pecten teeth of the siphon larger than minnesotae; head setae 5-C and 7-C usually with fewer than 6 and 9 branches respectively, seta 4-X (ventral brush) of anal segment generally with 18 or fewer setae.
Life History
Unlike most other members of the genus, Culiseta morsitans overwinters in the egg stage. Larvae emerge early in spring, usually in small temporary pools. Adults emerge in late spring and mate. Females lay eggs in…
Unlike most other members of the genus, Culiseta morsitans overwinters in the egg stage. Larvae emerge early in spring, usually in small temporary pools. Adults emerge in late spring and mate. Females lay eggs in rafts above the surface of the water on a moist substrate. Females are extremely longevid, producing up to 3 batches of eggs. The species is believed to be univoltine.
Conservation Unknown. Relatively uncommon in Alberta. Diet Info Females are blood feeders, preferring birds. Range Likely throughout Alberta. Found throughout most of Canada and Alaska, and the northern states.

Citation

Page Citation for Culiseta morsitans

Page Citation

"Species Details - Culiseta morsitans, Freshwater Invertebrate Collection." University of Alberta Museums Search Site, https://search.museums.ualberta.ca/g/5-6141. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Authorship

Name Bromilow, S.
Role species page author
Date 2007

Specimen Information

There are 3 specimens of this Species.

3 results plotted on map in 2 markers.
Note: Only records with latitude and longitude coordinates are plotted on map.

IN1094 - Culiseta morsitans

Freshwater Invertebrate Collection

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Lake Collected ByFurnell, Allan Date Collected1979-08-01

IN1095 - Culiseta morsitans

Freshwater Invertebrate Collection

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Big Lake Collected ByFurnell, Allan Date Collected1979-08-09

IN1770 - Culiseta morsitans

Freshwater Invertebrate Collection

Place CollectedCanada: Alberta, Woodbend Collected ByFurnell, Allan Date Collected1981-05-13