LIFE HISTORY AND SEASONAL PREVALENCE 149 



Mozufferpore that Mosquitoes are present all the year, but 

 most common in September, October and November. The 

 adult Anopheles is most easily found in October and 

 November. 



Captain Maddox w^rites from Chapra that August, 

 September and October are the worst months for Mos- 

 quitoes. He has found Ajwpheles larvae in small pools and 

 ditches near habitations. 



Writing from Benguela, in Portuguese West Africa, 

 Dr. A. Yale Massey says that the hot, wet season lasts 

 from October to April, and that Mosquitoes appear in 

 November. There is comparatively little fever before 

 December, and cases occur as late as June, but January 

 and February are the worst months. 



Speaking generally then, it may be safely asserted that, 

 for any given locality, the seasonal prevalence of Mosquitoes 

 may be accurately predicated from an inspection of its tables 

 of rainfall and temperature ; and that, provided Anopheletes 

 be included in its fauna, malaria will make its appearance, 

 in all warm climates, within a few weeks of the breaking of 

 the rains. 



It only remains to add a few words on the natural 

 enemies of Mosquitoes in their various stages. Unfor- 

 tunately, as Celli remarks, these are not numerous, and are 

 rarely sufficiently numerous to perceptibly diminish the 

 numbers of so prolific a family of insects. In the adult 

 stage, birds, reptiles, frogs and certain insects devour them 

 whenever they have the chance, and are not tempted by 

 the superior attractions of larger game. The bright little 

 gecko lizard, which is so commonly found in our Indian 

 bungalows, should be always treated as an honoured guest 

 for his services in this direction, especially as he does not 

 strike work and go to sleep just when he is most wanted, as 

 most birds do. Each of these quaint, half-tame little beasts 

 may be looked upon as at least equal, in Mosquito-destroy- 

 ing efficiency to a fly-paper of the largest size, and their 

 company should be encouraged accordingly. In the larval 

 stage there can be no doubt of the efficiency of certain 

 species of fish, and the apparent contradictions that appear 



