Elephant Mosquito

Toxorhynchites rutilus. Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC, USA.

Toxorhynchites rutilus. Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC, USA.

Toxorhynchites rutilus. Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC, USA.

Toxorhynchites rutilus. Rock Creek Park, Washington, DC, USA.

Toxorhynchites rutilus, called "Elephant Mosquito" for its size (circa 7 mm body length) and recurved snout. This is a male, indicated by the feathery antennae. Neither males nor females bite--they both take plant juices. In a further bit of beneveolence, the larvae of this species prey upon those of other mosquitoes!P.S. Happy "Friday Fly Day"!