Which description matches Psorophora ciliata?

• A. Very large, shaggy mosquito with long dark erect leg setae
• B. Hind tarsi banded; yellow/white thorax patches; narrow golden thorax stripe
• C. Persistent, very painful biter; attacks anytime in habitat
• D. Limited flight range; eggs laid in soil cracks, hatch next season

Answer: (A)

Psorophora ciliata is best identified by its size and leg appearance. Adults are among the largest mosquitoes you’ll encounter, and they have long dark hairs (setae) on their legs that stand erect, giving a shaggy, conspicuous look. That combination—very large size plus long, erect leg setae—is a classic field cue for this species, so the description describing a very large, shaggy mosquito with long dark erect leg setae fits best. Other descriptions focus on coloration patterns, biting behavior, or egg-laying habits, which aren’t the defining markers for this species in the field. Remember, in the moment of identification, the striking size and the shaggy leg hair are the strongest clues for Psorophora ciliata.