Opifex (fly)

{{Short description|Genus of flies}}

{{Automatic taxobox

| image = Opifex fuscus.jpg

| image_caption = Opifex fuscus

| display_parents = 2

| taxon = Opifex

| authority = Hutton, 1902

}}

Opifex is a genus of mosquito containing the species Opifex chathamicus and Opifex fuscus.Cheng, L. (2010). Opifex Hutton, 1902. Accessed through: World Register of Marine Species at http://www.marinespecies.org/aphia.php?p=taxdetails&id=411338 on 2017-03-16

Opifex fuscus have an unusual mating system. In contrast with most mosquito species, which mate in flight, mating in Opifex occurs on the surface of salt-water pools.Lambert, David M, and Elisabeth Slooten. “Evolutionary Studies of the New Zealand Coastal Mosquito Opifex Fuscus (Hutton) I. Mating Behaviour.” Behaviour, vol. 84, no. 1-2, 1983, pp. 157–171., doi:10.1163/156853983X00336.

Opifex fuscus males will grab female pupae from under the surface of the water. Females begin reproducing as soon as they come out of their chrysalis.Lambert, David M, and Elisabeth Slooten. “Evolutionary Studies of the New Zealand Coastal Mosquito Opifex Fuscus (Hutton) I. Mating Behaviour.” Beh, vol. 84, no. 1-2, 1983, pp. 157–171., doi.org/10.1163/156853983X00336.