Culex pipiens

4 - 10mm, brownish in colour, often found in houses and out buildings from May onwards. The genus has a rounded tip to the abdomen. There are bands of pale scales at the base of each abdominal tergite.

Images shown in a red box are likely to be this species but the ID has not been confirmed.

Females are identical to C. torrentium and can only be separated by DNA barcoding.

Males can be separated by genitalia examination.

• Rounded tip to the abdomen (Aedes have a pointed tip)
• Pale transverse bands on front margins of abdominal segments
• Fore claw without inner tooth
• Prealar scales absent from side of thorax

Eggs laid in ponds, marshes and water butts.

Adults reside in houses and outbuildings.

May to September

Relatively common and widespread.

Rare or under-recorded.