Carpenter et al.: Mosquitoes of Southern U. S 277 



LARVA. (Fig. 155). — Head slightly broader than long, almost circular in 

 outline, with a prominent triangular pouch on either side. Antenna about half 

 as long as the head, sparsely spined basally; antennal tuft multiple, sparsely 

 barbed, inserted near middle, extending near tip of antenna. Eyes small, 

 rounded. Inner preclypeal spine weak. Head hairs: Preantennal (A) multiple, 

 barbed, extending nearly to insertion of antennal tuft; lower (B) very long, 

 single, sparsely barbed; upper (C) shorter, usually 3 to 4-branched, barbed, 

 extending beyond preclypeus; postclypeal (d) small, single, inserted near 

 anterior margin of clypeus; sutural (e) usually triple; trans-sutural (f) multi- 

 ple; supraorbital usually 2 to 4-branched. Cornb of eighth segment of numerous 

 scales in a patch; individual scale abruptly broadened and rounded apically, 

 fringed with subequal spinules. Siphon about four to five times as long as basal 

 width; pecten of 6 to 8 teeth progressively more widely spaced and restricted 

 to basal third of siphon; a long double or triple subventral tuft near middle of 

 siphon and two smaller 1 to 2-branched tufts apically, one of which is inserted 

 subdorsally. Ajial segment slightly longer than wide; dorsal plate sclerotized 

 dorsally and ventrally, indistinct laterally; lateral hair single; dorsal brush con- 

 sisting of a long lower caudal hair and a short multiple upper caudal tuft on 

 either side; ventral brush well developed, confined to the barred area; gills 2, 

 short, bulbous. 



distribution. — Southern Florida (52); Antilles, Mexico and Central 

 America. 



bionomics. — The adults of this species are frequently found resting in the 

 upper portion of the crab holes in which they breed. Some observers claim that 

 the females occasionally bite humans, but they are seldom encountered except 

 in areas where breeding is heavy. The larvae are found in the holes of land 

 crabs in the coastal salt marshes. T. E. Duffey collected several larvae of this 

 species from a tin can, together with larvae of Aedes triseriatus, during Octo- 

 ber, 1944, on Jupiter Island near Hobe Sound, Florida. Duffey has also 

 observed numerous specimens in the act of copulation while resting on the 

 sides of crab holes. Larvae have been collected from February to December in 

 Florida(4th Sv. C. Med. Lab. records, 1942-1944, unpublished). 



