Opifex is a genus of mosquito containing the species Opifex chathamicus and Opifex fuscus.[1]

Opifex
Opifex fuscus
Scientific classification Edit this 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

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  1. ^ 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
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ 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.