How to Get Mosquito Proboscis in OSRS: A Complete Guide

How to Get Mosquito Proboscis in OSRS: A Complete Guide


Old School RuneScape (OSRS) is packed with unique items, and the mosquito proboscis is one of those quirky drops that can leave players scratching their heads. Whether you’re chasing it for a quest like Fairytale I – Growing Pains or just curious about its uses, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know about how to get a mosquito proboscis in OSRS. From locations to methods and tips, we’ve got you covered. Let’s dive in!

The mosquito proboscis is an item dropped by mosquitoes in OSRS, described in-game as “A giant mosquito‘s proboscis, aerodynamic and sharp!” It’s a stackable item with a few niche uses, making it a sought-after collectible for specific tasks. While it’s not a high-value trade item, its utility in quests and skilling makes it worth understanding how to obtain.

Uses of the Mosquito Proboscis

Before we get into how to snag one, let’s look at why you might need it:

  • Quest Item: It’s one of the possible random items required by Filliman Tarlock in Fairytale I – Growing Pains to enchant the magic secateurs.
  • Skilling: It’s used with fungicide spray to relocate sulliuscep mushrooms in the Tar Swamp during the Tai Bwo Wannai Cleanup minigame.
  • Summoning (RS3 Context): While not applicable in OSRS, it’s worth noting that in RuneScape 3, it’s used to craft Spirit Mosquito pouches—something OSRS players might hope for in future updates.

Why It’s Tricky to Get

The mosquito proboscis isn’t a guaranteed drop from every mosquito, and its primary source is tied to a specific minigame. This limited availability can make it a hassle, especially if you’re unprepared or haven’t completed the prerequisite quests. But don’t worry—we’ll break it down step-by-step.

Primary Method: Tai Bwo Wannai Cleanup Minigame

Anopheles mosquito proboscis Coloured scanning electron micrograph

The most reliable way to get a mosquito proboscis in OSRS is through the Tai Bwo Wannai Cleanup minigame. This activity is your golden ticket to encountering mosquitoes and securing those proboscises. Here’s how to do it.

Prerequisites for Tai Bwo Wannai Cleanup

You can’t just waltz into the jungle and start swinging. You’ll need to prepare:

  • Quest Completion: Finish the Jungle Potion quest to unlock access to the minigame. It’s a short quest requiring 3 Agility, some basic items, and a trip to Karamja.
  • Equipment: Bring a machete (buy one from Gabooty for 600 trading sticks or Jiminua’s Jungle Store for a few coins) and some insect repellent (available from the general store in Tai Bwo Wannai).
  • Recommended Gear: Light armor, a decent weapon (crush attacks work best), and antipoison for safety.

Steps to Get the Proboscis

Once you’re set up, follow these steps:

  1. Head to Tai Bwo Wannai village on Karamja (use the Karamja lodestone or a ship from Port Sarim).
  2. Equip your machete and start hacking at light, medium, or dense jungle bushes around the village.
  3. Wait for a random encounter—mosquitoes (either Large Mosquitoes or Mosquito Swarms) can spawn while you’re chopping.
  4. Kill the mosquitoes. Large Mosquitoes drop 1 proboscis rarely, while Mosquito Swarms drop a number equal to the mosquitoes in the swarm (3 or 5).
  5. Pick up the proboscis from the ground and repeat as needed.

Tips for Efficiency

To maximize your chances:

  • Use Insect Repellent: Apply it to Mosquito Swarms to halve their combat stats, making them easier to kill.
  • Team Up: Other players chopping nearby can spawn mosquitoes you can kill, even if you’re not in the minigame yourself (more on this later).
  • Stay Persistent: Mosquito spawns are random, so keep hacking until they appear.

Alternative Method: Grand Exchange

If the jungle life isn’t for you, there’s a simpler (but less adventurous) option: buy the mosquito proboscis from the Grand Exchange. As of April 07, 2025, it’s a low-cost item, often trading for under 100 GP each, though prices fluctuate based on demand from questers.

How to Buy It

It’s straightforward:

  1. Head to the Grand Exchange in Varrock.
  2. Search for “Proboscis” in the buy interface.
  3. Set your price (check the current market rate) and wait for the trade to complete.

Pros and Cons of Buying

Pros Cons
Fast and easy Costs GP (minimal, but still a factor)
No quest or combat required Misses out on minigame rewards

Bypassing Jungle Potion: Killing Other Players’ Mosquitoes

Here’s a sneaky workaround: you don’t always need to complete Jungle Potion to get a proboscis. Mosquitoes spawned by other players in the Tai Bwo Wannai Cleanup minigame can be killed by anyone, even if you haven’t unlocked the minigame yourself.

How It Works

This method is a bit of a loophole:

  • Go to Tai Bwo Wannai village.
  • Look for other players hacking bushes and wait for their mosquito spawns.
  • Attack the mosquitoes they trigger and loot the proboscis drops.

Best for Ironmen

This is especially handy for Ironman accounts, who can’t use the Grand Exchange. You’ll need some luck finding active players, but it’s a viable quest-free option.

Other Sources of Mosquito Proboscis

Beyond the minigame and trading, there are a couple of rare alternatives to snag a proboscis, though they’re less practical for most players.

Giant Mosquitoes on Mos Le’Harmless

After completing Cabin Fever, you can access Mos Le’Harmless, where Giant Mosquitoes roam. They drop proboscises rarely, but their higher combat level (13) and remote location make this a less efficient choice compared to Tai Bwo Wannai.

Random Loot Possibilities

In rare cases, proboscises can appear as loot from spirit impling jars or Soul Wars rewards, but these are inconsistent and not worth relying on unless you’re already doing those activities.

Final Tips and Strategies

Whether you’re grinding in the jungle or snagging one off the GE, here’s how to make your proboscis hunt smooth and painless:

Optimize Your Setup

  • Combat: Use a crush weapon (like a mace or flail) since mosquitoes are weak to crush attacks.
  • Inventory: Bring food, antipoison, and extra insect repellent to handle jungle hazards like snakes or disease.
  • World Choice: Hop to a busy world (e.g., World 302) to increase the odds of mosquito spawns from other players.

Plan for Your Goal

If you’re after the proboscis for Fairytale I, check with Filliman Tarlock first—he might not even ask for it (it’s random). If he does, decide if buying is faster than farming based on your GP and time.

Long-Term Collection

Since proboscises stack, consider stockpiling them during Tai Bwo Wannai Cleanup sessions. The minigame also offers trading sticks and other loot, making it a decent side hustle while you hunt.

By now, you should have a solid grasp on how to get a mosquito proboscis in OSRS. Whether you brave the jungles of Karamja, swipe one from another player’s spawn, or take the easy route via the Grand Exchange, this guide has you covered. Got a favorite method or tip? Let us know in the comments below, and happy scaping!