Pest profile

Elephant Mosquito

Toxorhynchites rutilus · Diptera: Culicidae[2]

The elephant mosquito never takes blood, and its larvae prey on the larvae of disease-carrying mosquitoes.[1]

Elephant mosquito, a large iridescent mosquito with a long downward-curved proboscis, on weathered wood
Elephant mosquito, a large iridescent mosquito with a long downward-curved proboscis, on weathered wood. (c) Chris Baer, some rights reserved (CC BY) — via iNaturalist, CC BY 4.0

How to identify it

  • Adults are larger than most mosquitoes, with a long proboscis curved sharply downward.[1]
  • The body is covered with iridescent blue, white, green and purple scales.[1]

Look-alikes

Look-alikeHow to tell them apart
Biting mosquitoesIts sharply down-curved proboscis sets it apart.[1]

Where it lives

It's widely distributed in the eastern half of the U.S.[1]

US map: public records from 30 states since 1990 (GBIF).

Biology and life cycle

Larvae grow in tree holes and in containers such as cans, flowerpot saucers and tires.[1]

Larvae can survive weeks without prey.[1]

Health risk

Adults feed on nectar, honeydew and fruit, not blood, so they can't transmit pathogens.[1]

Control

Biological control

Its larvae are voracious predators that can eat thousands of mosquito larvae, making it a potential biological control.[1]

Common questions

Does the elephant mosquito bite?
No; adults feed only on sugary sources like nectar.[1]
Should I get rid of elephant mosquitoes?
No need; their larvae eat the larvae of biting mosquitoes.[1]

Sources

  1. University of Florida IFAS Extension (Featured Creatures), “Elephant Mosquito, Toxorhynchites rutilus (Featured Creatures).” edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1380 (accessed 2026-10-06)
  2. iNaturalist, “Toxorhynchites rutilus taxon page (order and family).” www.inaturalist.org/taxa/232765 (accessed 2026-10-06)

Updated 2026-10-14. Built from sourced records. Spot an error? Tell us.