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Representative species shown here:
Cx. whitmorei

Genus-specific Diagnostic Characters, Larval Stage:
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Culex larvae are distinguished from other genera by the following characters: 

1. Seta 2-C usually absent

2. Seta 3-C located on dorsal side of head, sometimes absent

3. Mandible normal, without lateral lobe at base

4. Maxillary brush present, well developed

5. Seta 12-I and comb always present

6. Siphon with three or more pairs of prominent setae (seta 1-S)

7. Pecten normally present

8. Saddle usually complete, sometimes incomplete and greatly reduced but never divided into dorsal and ventral sclerites

9. Ventral brush (seta 4-X) usually with three or more pairs of setae.