Vol. xxi] ENTOMOLOGICAL NEWS. 293 



A List of Mosquitoes Collected in the Vicinity of 



Chicago, 111. 



By WM. J. GERHARD, Chicago, 111. 



During the past few years some attention was given by the 

 writer to the mosquitoes in the vicinity of Chicago, the ac- 

 quisition of a representative series of the local species for the 

 Field Museum's collection being the main reason for the in- 

 terest taken in these insects. As only a limited amount of time 

 could be devoted to collecting, it is of course quite evident 

 that the following list is by no means a complete one, and that 

 a number of additional species will eventually be found in this 

 section of the state. But, since even the mere recording of the 

 more common species, not before listed from the region, seems 

 desirable, it is hoped that the accompanying records may be of 

 some value, at least of sufficient interest to justify their pub- 

 lication. 



In the vicinity of Chicago the mosquito problem is neither 

 a serious nor a difficult one. Fortunately there is no apparent 

 danger to be feared from the disease transmitting Aedcs calo- 

 pus, for this section of the state is far beyond the northern 

 range of this species. While the presence of the carriers of 

 malaria always suggests an element of danger, they are not 

 so abundant that they should be considered a serious menace. 

 There is, however, no justifiable excuse for permitting the 

 Anopheles larvae to breed so commonly in many pools and 

 ditches within the limits of the city. 



But more abundant than the disease-transmitting species are 

 those mosquitoes which attract attention on account of their 

 annoying habits. Since the greater part of Chicago is located 

 on low land, over which the waters of the lake formerly ex- 

 tended, suitable breeding places for these species are not want- 

 ing. Many pools and ditches, favorable for the development 

 of the larvae, are found in the vicinity of the marsh areas and 

 in the limited, low tracts of woodland that still remain in the 

 outskirts of the city. Even in some of the built-up sections are 

 found neglected drains, useless ditches and vacant lots with 



