Uranotaenia
Lynch Arribálzaga, 1891
Species Guides
2- Uranotaenia lowii(Pale-footed Uranotaenia)
- Uranotaenia sapphirina(Sapphire-striped Mosquito)
Uranotaenia is a of mosquitoes comprising over 270 . It is the sole member of the tribe Uranotaeniini within the Culicinae. Larvae are notable for resting nearly parallel to the water surface, a posture resembling that of Anophelinae mosquitoes but distinguished by retention of a functional siphon.
Pronunciation
How to pronounce Uranotaenia: /ˌjʊərənoʊˈtiːniə/
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Identification
Larvae can be distinguished from other Culicinae by their horizontal resting posture near the water surface, with the body held nearly parallel rather than perpendicular to the surface. This posture resembles Anophelinae larvae, but Uranotaenia retains a functional siphon, unlike Anophelinae. lack distinctive morphological features documented in available sources.
Images
Habitat
Aquatic larval ; specific environmental requirements vary by .
Distribution
Records indicate presence in Colombia (Antioquia), Norway, and Sweden; broader distribution likely spans multiple continents given .
Life Cycle
Larval stage aquatic; pupal stage present; complete with , larva, pupa, and stages. Larvae possess a functional siphon for breathing at the water surface.
Behavior
Larvae rest nearly parallel to the water surface, a distinctive departure from the perpendicular posture typical of most Culicinae.
Similar Taxa
- AnophelinaeLarvae share the parallel-to-surface resting posture, but Anophelinae lack a functional siphon, whereas Uranotaenia retains one.
- Other Culicinae generaMost Culicinae larvae rest perpendicular to the water surface, unlike the horizontal posture of Uranotaenia.
More Details
Subgeneric classification
The contains two subgenera: Pseudoficalbia and Uranotaenia.
Taxonomic isolation
Uranotaenia is the only in the tribe Uranotaeniini, making it phylogenetically distinct within Culicinae.