This is a highly variable and widely distributed species which is considered to be a sibling species complex of perhaps up to 7 species - 3 at least in WA.
It is small to moderately sized:
- dark and speckly grey appearance (although one of the WA variants is gingery in appearance);
- proboscis generally dark above and often with variable pale area below on apical half (in northern Australia the apical half of the proboscis may be all pale)
- palps as long as proboscis and palps with broad white apical bands on terminal three segments;
- scutum a greyish colour with scattering of broad white scales, sides of thorax with some darker coloured areas but only a few pale scales
- wings with all veins having patches of dark and pale scales
- hind legs with femur, tibia and first tarsus spotted and banded with pale scales, tarsi 2-4 with apical pale band and tarsus 5 is usually all dark;
- abdominal tergites and sternites hairy but with no scales except for some pale scattered on terminal few segments.
In northern Australia, this species may be confused with An. farauti but An. farauti can be distinguished by the twin black bands on the apical portion of the palps.
Sources:
See weblink for NSW Arbovirus Surveillance & Vector Monitoring Program
An Atlas of the mosquitioes of Western Australia. Western Australia Health Department
