Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Arthropoda

Class: Insecta

Order: Diptera

Family: Culicidae

Genus: Culex

Culex is the second largest genus of mosquitoes in California. Eggs of Culex mosquitoes are laid on the water and stick to each other to form a raft. Larvae typically have a long siphon and hang downward at a 45 degree angle from the water surface. Adults rest parallel to the surface with their proboscis bent downwards. The tip of the adult’s abdomen is bluntly rounded. Adults bite chiefly at dusk and during the night. Twelve species are found in California.