What are general characteristics of Psorophora?

• A. They feed on cattle and humans, day and night biters, major pests only, overwinter as eggs
• B. They feed on fish; night biters; do not overwinter
• C. They feed exclusively on birds; diurnal biters
• D. They overwinter as larvae; not pests

Answer: (A)

Psorophora are floodwater mosquitoes whose adult females readily bite mammals, including cattle and humans, making them noticeable pests in livestock areas. They can be active during both day and night, not limited to a single time of day. A defining trait is that they lay eggs that survive through dry periods and hatch with floodwaters, so they overwinter as eggs rather than as larvae or adults. This combination of broad host use, biting both day and night, and egg overwintering best fits their general characteristics. The other options misstate their preferred hosts, biting timing, or overwintering stage.