3 8o 



ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 



[Dec., '06 



The Song of the Mosquito. 



BY SAMUEL E. WEBER. 



When we know the voice and song of the birds we are en- 

 abled to distinguish the particular species whose song we may 

 hear without seeing it. Likewise in entomology, insects need 

 not be seen to know their species if one knows their voice and 

 song. 



Most species which we have studied may be known psycho- 

 logically by their song, their movements and physical expres- 

 sion. Insect sound is in large measure as true to structure as 

 is physical expression in various other forms of animal life. 



As an example in physical expression and structure, take 

 the larva of the Anopheles mosquito which has been designated 



as " a lazy larva." Some 



of their slow movements 

 on the surface of the 

 water are apparently 

 caused by the arrange- 

 ment of the mechanical 

 structure which retains 

 them there. When the 

 larva turns its head to 

 the caudal extremity to 

 remove foreign particles 

 which have collected 

 about the air-tube, it 

 does the act as gingerly 

 as though it were afraid 

 its body might break in 

 twain. The reason for 

 the slow turning is ex- 

 plained by its attach- 

 ment to the waterfilm 

 through the means of fan-like bodies on the dorsum of the 

 abdomen. These organs after piercing the waterfilm open out 

 forming a palmate clinch by means of which the larva is re- 

 tained at the surface. The slow movement is necessary so it 



Anopheles maculipennis Meig. 



Aui>f>ln-li's J>it>icti/H'niiis Say. 

 Cnli-x canadcnsis Theob. 

 Culc.v pi/'it'iis Linn. 



