Reports to various Correspondents. 



Report on a vidt to Higham HalJ, Woodford, V2th June, I'.tOS. 



The annoyance caused by Mosquitoes in your neiglibourliood is due 

 at present to tlie presence, amongst others, of one of our largest Britisli 

 mosquitoes, Gutex diversut^, Theobald. (OtliiT species occurred in greater 

 numbers later, vide p. 7.) 



This species, previous to the last few weeks, has only been once recorded 

 (in the neighbourhood of Tunbridge Wells). Other species will probably 

 occur later. 



During the last week complaint has readied the Board of Agriculture 

 that this same spscies of Cvlex has been causing great annoyance near 

 Bristol during the last five years. 



At present nothing is known of its life-history, but from its general 

 structure I imagine it to be a sylvan species, and nut a domestic one, such 

 as the common gnat Ctdex pijmns. 



I could detect no traces of the larvte in any of the natural pieces of 

 water or in any of the artificial collections near your house. This is 

 probably because the species has not yet oviposited. Nevertheless, a much 

 more thorough search should be made. 



In the immediate vicinity of the house the following possible breeding 

 grounds were observed : — 



A. Artificial collections of water. 



1. A large overhead tank used for conservatory. (The shed in which 

 this is placed is said by your under-gardener to be full of Gulex at certain 

 times.) 



2. A large tank in stable yard. 



3. A barrel used to receive waste water from a standpipe near stable 

 yard and outside the garden. 



4. The overflow from the above into a ditch near by. 



5. Several open pieces of water in connection with the greenhouses in 

 the garden. 



6. A large tank partly open on the roof of the Hall. 



B. Naturcd collections of water. 



1. Two small ponds in meadow below the Hall. 



2. Several small pits in the forest close to the house. 



3. Several small, unhealthy pools and larger pieces of water on the 

 common close to the main road. 



4. Higham Lake at the bottom of the meadow, some distance from 

 the Hall. 



All the artificial pieces of water are likely places to find Culez larvas, 

 and also most of the natural collections. 



I do not anticipate much danger from the lake, and for the present 

 should leave that out of consideration. I should advise the following 

 provisionally : — 



(1) That the tanks referred to near and on the house, and also the 

 open pieces of water in the garden used for greenhouse purposes be closed 



