Opifex is a genus of mosquito containing the species Opifex chathamicus and Opifex fuscus.[1]
| Opifex | |
|---|---|
| |
| Opifex fuscus | |
Scientific classification 
| |
| Domain: | Eukaryota |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Arthropoda |
| Class: | Insecta |
| Order: | Diptera |
| Family: | Culicidae |
| Subfamily: | Culicinae |
| Tribe: | Aedini |
| Genus: | Opifex Hutton, 1902 |
Opifex fuscus have an unusual mating system. In contrast with most mosquito species, which mate in flight, mating in Opifex occurs on the surface of salt-water pools.[2]
Opifex fuscus males will grab female pupae from under the surface of the water. Females begin reproducing as soon as they come out of their chrysalis.[3]
References
edit- ^ Cheng, L. (2010). Opifex Hutton, 1902. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=411338 on 2017-03-16
- ^ Lambert, David M, and Elisabeth Slooten. “Evolutionary Studies of the New Zealand Coastal Mosquito Opifex Fuscus (Hutton) I. Mating Behaviour.” Behaviour, vol. 84, no. 1-2, 1983, pp. 157–171., doi:10.1163/156853983X00336.
- ^ Lambert, David M, and Elisabeth Slooten. “Evolutionary Studies of the New Zealand Coastal Mosquito Opifex Fuscus (Hutton) I. Mating Behaviour.” Beh, vol. 84, no. 1-2, 1983, pp. 157–171., doi.org/10.1163/156853983X00336.
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