14 



.\i:\\ MiUK S1ATI-; MISKIM 



followiiifT extensive excavations. This is exactly what would l)e 

 expected if the above statements are true. 



Habits. The appearance and habits of the malarial mosquito 

 are important if we wish to avoid malaria. The malarial mosquito 

 is easily recognized by its spotted wings and, in particular by the 

 characteristic resting position, the beak and the Vjody being in 

 almost a straight line and at a considerable angle to the supporting 

 surface. On the other hand, our ordinary mosquitos do not have 

 spotted wings and when at rest the beak and the body form an 

 obtuse angle, the body being approximately parallel with the 



supporting surface. The wrig- 

 gler of the malarial mosqtiito 

 occurs in grassy pools, beside 

 streams and is frequently very 

 abundant in collections of water 

 in and about recent excavations. 

 The wriggler of the malarial mos- 

 quito is easily recognized by the 

 absence of a conspicuous air 

 tube, by its resting in a hori- 

 zontal position just beneath the 

 surface film, and the usually 

 bright or dark brown and green- 

 ish colors. The wrigglers of the. 

 common mosquito, conversely, 

 have a large air tube at the 

 posterior extremity, invariably 

 rest with the body at a con- 

 siderable angle to the surface of 

 the water and are a dull whitish 

 or yellowish white. The mala- 

 rial mosquito breeds more or less during the warm months of the 

 year, the spotted-winged adults wintering in any shelter, frequently 

 in houses and occasionally flying in midwinter. The capture of 

 chilled specimens on snow banks in early spring is not unusual. 



Control measures. Malarial outbreaks may be prevented or 

 controlled in two ways. The malarial mosquito is very local in 

 its habits. It is comparatively easy, by draining breeding pools 

 and treating those not easily drained, with oil, to eliminate the 

 mosquito and thus do away with all danger of infection. This is 

 practicable in most cases and in sections where malaria is more or 

 less prevalent, is the only course to pursue. 



Fig. 5 Characteristic feedins position of 

 malarial mosquito wrisglcr in uiiper fiKtire. 

 and that of the common mosquito in lower 

 fifiure. (After Howard, U. S. Dep't Agric. 

 Div. Ent. Bui. 25. n. s. 1900) r. 



