Story: Sandflies and mosquitoes

Saltpool mosquito

Saltpool mosquito

The saltpool mosquito (Opifex fuscus) is unique to New Zealand, and is widespread around the coast. Adult females (top) can produce their first batch of eggs without a meal of blood. They feed by day and night, and their bite can be painful. Males (bottom) have long legs that enable them to walk on water. They have large claws, which they use to grip females during mating (unlike many other mosquitoes, the saltpool female mates while still in the pupa stage).

Using this item

Southern Monitoring Services
Photographs by Rachel Crane

NZ BioSecure

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How to cite this page:

Carl Walrond, 'Sandflies and mosquitoes - Mosquitoes', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/14747/saltpool-mosquito (accessed 24 April 2024)

Story by Carl Walrond, published 24 Sep 2007