36 



Opposed to this vast army of markedly "injurious" flies is a 

 perhaps larger one of "heneficial" species. Of primary import- 

 ance are the numerous parasitic flies ; these in conjunction with 

 parasitic hvmenoptera help to control the myriads of injurious 

 plant-feeding insects, which left to themselves, would soon wipe 

 out vegetation and humanity itself. The "flesh" or "blow-flies" are 

 excellent scavengers, and undoubtedly their larvae are especi- 

 ally beneficial in warm climates, by rapidly_ converting putrid and 

 offensive animal matter into a less noxious condition. 



The larvae of many others are extremely useful owing to their 

 insectivorous habits. 



Family CuUcidae (Mosquitoes). 



We are fortunate in possessing but three species of this an- 

 noying family, although in suitable localities their numbers more 

 than compensate for the lack of species. The eggs are deposited 

 either singly or in a batch upon the surface or margin of stand- 

 ing water. The larvae and pupae are both aquatic, the former 

 being familiarly known as "wrigglers." The males do not bite 

 and can be readily distinguished by their plumed or bottle-brush- 

 like antennae. The habits and life history of the mosquitoes of 

 these Islands have been fully discussed by Van Dine^, so the fol- 

 lowing: remarks need to be but brief. 



C III ex fatigaiis, Wied. 



This is the common "night" mosquito. It is destitute of any 

 very definite marks and the legs are unhanded. The general 

 coloring of the body and legs is a light golden-brown. The eggs 

 are deposited in a boat-shaped cluster or raft. According to 

 Theobald^ this species has a very wide range, throughout tropical 

 and sub-tropical countries ; and appears to be extremely closely 

 allied to the common European (C. pipiens) and the North 

 American (C. pungens). \'an Dine adopts the former 

 name in his bulletin. A recent comparison of C. pipiens and C. 

 fatigans reveals certain differences which suggest that they are 



^ Van Dine (D. L.) "Mosquitoes in Hawaii." Bulletin No. 6. Haw. 

 Agr. Exp. Station. 



-Theobald (F. V.) "Monog. Culicidae of the World," Vol. II, pp. 

 154-55- 



