NPSpecies

Infrequent. (Connelly, 2010)

Distribution: Darsie and Ward (2005): Indigenous; Eastern (spotty). GSMNP: North Carolina. Egg: Eggs are laid singly on the water surface. Jensen et al. (1995) found evidence that An. perplexens eggs may survive in the soil during dry periods; this is uncommon in Anophelines. The egg stage can be used to distinguish Anopheles perplexens from Anopheles punctipennis; the two species are morphologically very similar in the adult stage. Larva and pupa: Intermittently flooded swamps, water-filled tires, containers; springs and outlet streams associated with limestone outcroppings, millpond. Adults: Feed after dark, but will feed during daylight hours if hosts enter the resting sites of the adult female (densely wooded areas, under bridges and rock ledges). Anopheles perplexens can easily be confused with Anopheles punctipennis when using the adult stage to identify the species. Bellamy (1956) reported that eggs of the two species are “distinctly different” and subsequent authors report using the egg stage to confirm the species identity (Jensen et al. 1985; personal communication - Bruce Harrison, North Carolina Department of Natural Resources). Reeves et al. (2004) reported finding one adult and one larva of this species in North Carolina, and stated that this finding is evidence of a range expansion for this species; however, there was no indication that these authors examined the eggs, and there is no reference listed for the morphological keys used for any of the mosquito identification. This record is suspect at this time and the occurrence and distribution of this species needs to be investigated further and include examination of the eggs. Connelly collected several adult specimens in Tennessee (2006, 2007, 2008) that appear to be An. perplexens, however, has not been successful in collecting eggs from the females. (Connelly, 2010)