The Uranotaenia sapphirina, commonly known as the sapphire mosquito, is a unique insect within the Culicidae family. It is one of approximately 200 species in the Uranotaenia genus, found across various temperate and tropical regions worldwide. This mosquito stands out due to its distinctive appearance. Its scientific classification is phylum Arthropoda, class Insecta, order Diptera, and family Culicidae.
Identifying Uranotaenia sapphirina
The sapphire mosquito is one of the smallest mosquito species found in the United States, measuring between 2.5 to 2.7 mm. Its most distinguishing characteristic is the presence of iridescent, metallic blue scales that adorn its head, thorax, and wings. These bright blue markings give the mosquito its common name.
Its body color ranges from golden-orange-brown to dark brown, or almost black. While other mosquito genera might display iridescent purple or green scales, the unique patches of iridescent blue scales on Uranotaenia sapphirina are not shared with any other mosquito genus or species in North America. Both male and female adults have a notably swollen proboscis (mouthpart) at its base.
Where This Mosquito Lives
Uranotaenia sapphirina is a common species found throughout eastern North America. Its geographic distribution extends from southeastern Canada, including Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec, south through most of the eastern United States into Florida. The range also reaches westward into the central United States, including North Dakota, and continues south into Mexico.
This mosquito primarily inhabits permanent and semi-permanent standing water with significant vegetation and sunlight. Larval habitats include marshes, ponds, and ditches rich in organic matter and emergent or floating vegetation. Larvae often congregate among the tiny leaves and trailing roots of floating aquatic plants like duckweed. Adults remain close to breeding sites, resting in vegetated areas near water during the day.
Its Role in the Environment
Uranotaenia sapphirina occupies a unique ecological niche due to specialized feeding habits. Unlike many mosquito species that feed on warm-blooded animals, this mosquito primarily obtains blood meals from cold-blooded hosts. It specializes on invertebrate annelid hosts like earthworms and leeches, a distinct feeding preference among mosquitoes. Females have been observed feeding on earthworms and leeches in wet mud at water edges.
This unique host preference means Uranotaenia sapphirina has little significance as a human disease vector. It is not known to bite humans and rarely feeds on other vertebrates. While some specimens tested positive for viruses like Eastern equine encephalitis and West Nile virus, its feeding habits make significant pathogen transmission to humans or other vertebrates unlikely. The mosquito also serves as a food source, contributing to the broader food web as prey for other organisms.