Predatory-mosquito
Guides
Psorophora horrida
Psorophora horrida is a species of predatory mosquito in the family Culicidae. Like other members of the genus Psorophora, its larvae are obligate predators that feed on other aquatic insect larvae. The species has been documented in North America. Adults are likely large-bodied given the genus tendency toward substantial size.
Toxorhynchites rutilus
Elephant Mosquito, Treehole Predatory Mosquito, Predatory Tree-hole Mosquito
Toxorhynchites rutilus, commonly called the elephant mosquito, is a large predatory mosquito species native to North America. Adults are distinctive for their iridescent blue-purple coloration, large size, and non-biting habit—they feed exclusively on nectar and serve as pollinators. The larvae are obligate predators that consume other mosquito larvae, making this species valuable for biological control of disease-vector mosquitoes. A single larva may eat up to 5,000 prey larvae before maturing. The species has been employed in biocontrol programs targeting container-breeding Aedes mosquitoes.