Is this a mosquito?
If answers to all of the following questions are Yes then the insect is a Mosquito. If at least one answer is a No, then the insect is not a mosquito.
1. Does it have a long, needle-like mouthpart? (picture below) This part is called the proboscis that mosquitoes use to suck blood.
2. Does it have a pair of wings? One on each side.
3. Do the wings have scales? Yes.
Culex Tarsalis Mosquito
Culex Tarsalis Mosquito after a blood meal, this is another one of our local mosquitos and can Vector West Nile, St. Louis Encephalitis.
Aedes Aegypti Mosquito
An Aedes Aegypti Mosquito can be identified by their unique black and white stripes. The Aedes Aegypti Mosquito is also known as the Yellow Fever Mosquito or Ankle Biter Mosquito. Click here to learn more about the Aedes Aegypti.
Crane Fly
If the insect looks like a mosquito, but it is too big to be one then it is most likely a cranefly. Craneflies have an elongate body, long and narrow wings, and very long, thin legs. They are sometimes mistaken for mosquitoes because they tend to rest in shady areas (under porches or eaves of a building), but craneflies do not bite humans, therefore they do not transmit any diseases. They feed on flower nectar. Most species of craneflies do not have needle-like mouthpart (proboscis) and the wings do not have scales.
Midge
There are non-biting (Chironomidae) and biting (Ceratopogonidae) midges. The biting midges are commonly known as "no-see-ums." Compared to mosquitoes, midges are extremely small. Non-biting midges can grow up to half an inch, however, biting midges are often about one-eighth of an inch. Midges do not have a needle-like proboscis, but the biting midges have mouthparts that can cut through human skin. Midges also lack scales on their wings. Midges develop in great numbers and are found in swarms, which can be extremely annoying, but they are not known to transmit any human diseases in the US.
Fungus Gnat
Fungus gnats look similar to mosquitoes, but they do not bite humans, so do not transmit any human diseases. However, they can be a nightmare for gardeners and plants. Fungus gnat larvae feed on plant roots and stems, which can cause yellowing or poor plant growth and can spread plant diseases. Fungus gnats thrive in moist debris and soil [avoid over-watering plants]. Adult gnats are about 1/8 of an inch and have grayish bodies, scale-less wings, and lack proboscis.
Drain Fly
Drain flies also known as sink flies or moth flies are tiny (about 2-5mm), non-biting gnats. Their bodies and wings are round and hairy. Just like mosquitoes, drain flies lay their eggs and grow in stagnant water.