Southern House Mosquito vs Gatekeeper

Side-by-side species comparison

Attribute Southern House Mosquito Gatekeeper
Scientific Name Culex quinquefasciatus Pyronia tithonus
Order Diptera Lepidoptera
Family Culicidae Nymphalidae
Size 4-6 mm 34-38 mm wingspan
Habitat Woodlands Woodlands
Diet Blood Feeders Nectar Feeders
Regions Tropics and subtropics worldwide Western Europe, Southern Europe
Conservation Least Concern Least Concern

Southern House Mosquito

A tropical and subtropical mosquito that breeds in polluted water. It transmits lymphatic filariasis and is a major nuisance biter at night.

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Did You Know?

It thrives in organically polluted water that most other mosquito species cannot tolerate.

Gatekeeper

A common warm-brown butterfly often seen basking on hedgerow flowers in high summer. It has distinctive twin white pupils within the eye-spots on its forewings.

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Did You Know?

Its alternative name 'Hedge Brown' reflects its strong association with hedgerow habitats.