Carpenter et al.: Mosquitoes of Southern U. S. 13 



handle (approximately 12 to 18 inches) and with an 18-inch bag of good 

 quality netting, is convenient for collecting mosquitoes in the field. It is 

 particularly useful for catching mosquitoes on the wing. Larger nets may 

 be used for catching mosquitoes under special conditions, such as when they 

 are driven out of hollow trees or culverts by the aid of smoke or burning 

 pyrethrum. 



A cage made of a small lantern chimney, the bottom of which is closed 

 with bobbinet and the top with a double layer of thin sheet rubber, each 

 layer slit in opposite directions is useful for holding adults while collecting 

 in a resting shelter (Fig. 4, A). The specimens may be emptied from the 

 aspirator linto the cage as often as necessary. They can be stupefied by 

 placing the bottom of the cage firmly against the leg above the knee, thus 

 closing the bottom, and inserting the open end of a chloroform tube through 

 the slit openings in the rubber covers. After they are stupefied, they should 

 be removed and placed in the chloroform tube until dead before finally packing 

 them in pill boxes for study. 



Transporting, Mounting and Storing Adult Specimens 



Transporting Specimens. — It is often necessary for specimens to be carried 

 or shipped to a laboratory before they can be properly studied. The speci- 

 mens may be carried either in the living or dead state, according to the use 

 to be made of them. Heavy mortality usually takes place among live speci- 

 mens in transit unless great care is exercised. The receptacles must not be 

 overcrowded and the atmosphere in the containers must be kept humid. 

 This can easily be accomplished by wrapping the cage with a damp cloth. 

 Mosquitoes will die quickly when cages or boxes containing collections are 

 exposed to direct sunlight. Live specimens can be carried short distances in 

 small cages made of lantern chimneys. Since glass cages break easily, small 

 square cages approximately 4x4x6 inches, made of mxsquito netting on 

 a wooden or wire frame are preferable for shipping specimens. A cage approxi- 

 mately 18 x 18 X 18 inches will accomodate as many as 1,000 living adults 

 during transit if proper precautions are taken. A cage of this type can be 

 placed on the back seat of an automobile and carried on a trip requiring sev- 

 eral hours, even durinq summer weather, if protected from direct sunlight 

 and draped with wet cloths. 



Dead mosquito specimens can be transported in circular pill boxes, each 

 containing a layer of glazed cotton pre.-^sed down over the bottom to form a 

 smooth layer. This layer of cotton should not be more than one-eighth 

 to one-fourth inch thick and the specimens should not be covered with 

 cotton. If the cotton is pressed firmly into the box, it will hold the specimens 

 sufficiently to prevent them from sliding about without their becoming ex- 

 cessively entangled in the fibers. One should avoid placing too many specimens 

 in a single box. Some workers prefer to pack specimens on cellucotton or 

 crinkled lens paper. Specimens packed in the above manner may be satis- 

 factorily shipped throufh the mails if tightlv placed in a mailing container 

 and sufficiently insulated against excessive jarring. Pinned specimens may 



