Insecutor Inscitiae Menstruus 



Vol, VI APRIL-JUNE, 1918 Nos. 4-6 



THE MALE GENITALIA OF AEDES AS INDICATIVE 

 OF NATURAL AFFINITIES 



{Diptcra, CtiUcidce) 

 By HARRISON G. DVAR 



The genus A'cdes, treated in the broad sense, shows inter- 

 esting modifications in the male genitahc structures. These 

 have been brought out in the main in the monograph of the 

 mosquitoes of North America by Howard, Dyar and Knab, 

 but certain details may be here revised. The present author 

 is mainly responsible for the genitalic table there adopted, and 

 the main divisions still seem to him sound. Certain details, 

 however, were clearly given undue prominence. 



As regards the development of the genus in America, two 

 elements may be distinguished. The first, and far larger one, 

 represents what we may call the native element. It presents 

 a complete graduation in the evolution of the organs called 

 by us harpagones, from the rudimentary condition of a seta 

 on a prominence to the highest development into a long strap- 

 shaped appendage. Accompanying this development is that 

 of the lobes of the side piece. Originally without lobes, the 

 basal lobe evolves first, beginning as a condensation of hairs, 

 then the hairs elevated on a prominence, then differentiated 

 by shortening or some becoming spines, the final result being 

 a membranous clasping organ studded with short papillae, 

 bearing minute setse. The outer lobe follows much the same 

 course of evolution, but in only one species has it reached the 

 final stage shown by the basal lobe. 



As would naturally be expected, where the lobes of the 

 side piece show the most specialization, the harpagones are 



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