Carpenter et al.: Mosquitoes of Southern U. S. 79 



hairs (1-3) consisting of an inner hair (1) with 3 to 5 strong branches near 

 base; a longer stout middle hair (2) with many branches; and a short, simple 

 outer hair (3). Prothoracic pleural group (9-12) of four hairs; hairs 9, 

 10 and 12 long, simple; hair 11, short, simple. Mesothoracic pleural group 

 (9-12) of four hairs; hairs 9 and 10 long, simple; hair 11 minute, simple; 

 hair 12 simple, about one-third as long as hair 9 or 10. Metathoracic pleural 

 group (9-12) of four hairs; hairs 9 and 10 long, simple; hair 11 minute, 

 simple; hair 12 short, usually simple. Metathoracic palmate hair (1) small, 

 with transparent leaflets. Abdomen: Submedian dorsal hair (0) compara- 

 tively well-developed on segments IV and V (much smaller than antepal- 

 mate hair 2) with 3 to 7 branches. Palmate hair (1) well-developed, nearly 

 equal in size on segments III to VII, individual leaflets serrated beyond 

 middle; palmate hairs rudimentary on segments I and II. Antepalmate hair 

 (2) on segments IV and V usually single, sometimes double or triple. 

 Upper lateral hair (6) on segments I to III long, plumose. Pecten as 

 illustrated. 



distribution. — Eastern North America, from the Gulf of Mexico to 

 Canada, west to Nebraska. It has been reported from Vera Cruz, Mexico, 

 by Vargas (158). Southern States: Alabama (35); Arkansas (179); Flor- 

 ida and Georgia (94); Kentucky (140); Louisiana (94); Mississippi (97); 

 North Carolina (166); South Carolina (27); Tennessee (7); Virginia (49); 

 Other States: Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Illinois, Indiana, 

 Iowa and Maine (94); Maryland (19); Massachusetts, Michigan, and Minne- 

 sota (94); Nebraska (178); New Jersey (77); New York (116); Ohio 

 (94); Rhode Island (99); Texas (130); Wisconsin (48). 



bionomics. — The females of this species are known to enter dwellings 

 at night to feed on humans and then retire to secretive daytime resting 

 places which are difficult to find. They will feed on man in the open, even 

 at midday, in bright sunlight. Bang et al. (7) found that the adults rest in 

 dark, extremely moist situations; their more favorite resting site was the 

 shaded bases of cut-grass and shoreline shrubbery. Engorged females were 

 occasionally found in human dwellings near Reelfoot Lake in Tennessee. 

 This species is readily attracted to the New Jersey light trap and is fre- 

 quently taken in biting collections. Bang et al. (7) took specimens of Ano- 

 pheles walkeri in light traps located I1/2 to 2 miles from the nearest breeding 

 places. The larvae occur in freshwater marshes containing aquatic vegetation. 



medical importance. — This species has been shown under experimental 

 conditions to be susceptible to infection with Plasmodium vivax (117) and 

 P. falciparum (98). A single wild-caught specimen was found by Bang et 

 al. (6) containing oocysts and a sporozoite infection. They state that the 

 human origin of the parasites was probably indicated since A. walkeri prefers 

 to feed on mammals, including man, rather than birds. This species appears 

 to be a potential vector of malaria, but additional investigations will be re- 

 quired to determine its real importance in the transmission of the disease. 



