Opifex fuscus Hutton, 1902
New Zealand Status: Endemic
A distinctive New Zealand endemic, Opifex fuscus breeds primarily in brackish, saline and hypersaline rock pools above the high tide level (Belkin 1968).
Vector and Disease Information
Opifex fuscus is a laboratory host of Whataroa virus, but has no natural vector status (Holder 1999).
Distribution (see map)
New Zealand
Kermadec Islands (Raoul Island, South Meyer Island), Three Kings (Great Island), North Auckland, Mokohinau Islands, Great Barrier Island, Cuvier Island, South Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, Marlborough, Canterbury, Otago (Belkin 1968).
Rest of the World
Not present
Taxonomic Position
A suggested change in taxonomy (Reinert & Harbach 2005) created 2 subgenera for Opifex, making the new name for this mosquito Opifex (Opifex) fuscus. This species and Opifex (Nothoskusea) chathamicus are the only known species from this endemic genus.
Diagnosis
A diagnosis is the minimum set of characters and states that will separate this taxon from all others in this set of taxa.
| Diagnostic characters | State |
| Erect scales of the head | Absent |
Characteristic Features
A medium-sized to large, stocky, grey to brown dark mosquito with few scales. Head: vertex without erect scales, but with numerous curved setae (Belkin 1968).
