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Dear all,

here's another one from Lake Schmiechen (SW Germany). Could it be Culex pipiens?

Thanks,
Martin

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Superficially it looks OK for Cx. pipiens, but there seems to be an indication of white rings on the tarsi; and the pale bands on the abdominal tergites are very even. As a rule the bands expand along the lateral margin in pipiens. So I'm left wondering whether this might be a Culiseta species, such as morsitans. Fortunately Culiseta have a good character to check - they possess prespiracular setae, which Culex don't have.

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Thanks Tony, much appreciated!
I will check the setae tomorrow, Monday, when I have access to a binocular microscope.
Martin

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OK, under the microscope it looks like it does have prespiracular setae (and no postspiracular setae).