Ochlerotatus Lynch Arribálzaga, 1891

Subgenus Ochlerotatus is a large highly varied group of species that generally exhibit the following characteristics. Five characters (five female genitalic and one larval) that diagnose Ochlerotatus in the phylogenetic analyses of Reinert et al. (2009), based on features observed in 48 species currently included in the subgenus, are indicated by an asterisk (*).

ADULTS – Vertex largely with narrow decumbent scales, erect forked scales numerous; interocular space with or without scales; compound eyes more or less separated above antennal pedicels; antenna of females shorter to longer than proboscis, distinctly shorter than proboscis in males, flagellar whorls of males with numerous long setae normally directed dorsally and ventrally; maxillary palpus of females 0.15–0.40 length of proboscis, with 5 palpomeres, palpomere 5 minute, maxillary palpus of males as long or longer than proboscis, palpomeres 4 and 5 subequal, downturned and setose; scutal scales usually narrow; anterior and posterior acrostichal and dorsocentral setae normally present; scutellum with narrow scales only; paratergite usually (not always) with scales; pleural scaling and setation varied; lower mesepimeral setae present or absent; remigium of wing usually with conspicuous setae; alula with extensive marginal fringe of long piliform scales; scaling of tarsi varied; ungues varied, at least fore- and midungues usually toothed, fore- and midungues of males enlarged; abdominal scaling varied, especially tergum I and laterotergite; terga with numerous lateral setae and reduced scaling in males. FEMALE GENITALIA – Segment VIII usually completely retracted within segment VII; *tergum VIII longer than wide, *with long setae on proximal 0.4 of lateral margins; *upper vaginal sclerite absent; cercus usually long and narrow, *distal part narrowly rounded; 3 spermathecal capsules. MALE GENITALIA – Segment VIII usually narrowed proximally; ninth tergal lobes usually more or less distinct, with setae; gonocoxite usually elongate, with more or less strongly developed basal dorsomesal lobe, sometimes with apical dorsomesal lobe, mesal surface membranous from base to apex; gonostylus simple, with apical usually long spiniform gonostylar claw; claspette comprised of elongate stem with single apical blade-like, sickle-like or otherwise modified claspette filament; aedeagus simple; paraproct with strong usually simple apical spine; cercal setae present. LARVAE – Head broad; antenna short to quite long, usually distinctly spiculate; seta 1-A varied, usually inserted near mid-length of antenna; *seta 1-C spiniform; seta 4-C usually small, varied in position; setae 5,6-C caudad of antennal bases; seta 13-P absent; seta 12-I present; seta 6-I,II and seta 7-I strongly developed, seta 6-III–VI at least moderately developed; comb scales varied, in large patch or single row; siphon varied in length, pecten spines evenly spaced or distal ones more widely separated; seta 1-S inserted within or beyond pecten; saddle complete or incomplete, acus present or absent; seta 1-X usually inserted on saddle; seta 2-X multi-branched; ventral brush (seta 4-X) usually with at least 7 pairs of setae on grid and 2 or more precratal setae. PUPAE – Trumpet short, broad, tracheoid area indistinct; seta 8-CT widely separated from seta 9-CT; setae 2,3-I usually approximated, seta 2-III–VII varied in position; seta 9-VI small, similar to seta 9-II–V; paddle with or without marginal spicules; seta 1-Pa single or branched. See genus Aedes.