95 



Mosquito Conditions in Connecticut in 1915.— Rept. Connectimt Agric. 

 Expt. Sta., 1915, New Haven, 1916, pp. 140-144. [Received 

 25th April 1916.] 



In May 1915 a new law was passed providing for the ehmination of 

 mosquito breeding places. The text of the bill is given. Mosquitos, 

 especially Ochlerotatus (Aedes) sollicitans, Walk., were very abundant 

 during the year, on account of the heavy rains and high tides in July 

 and August, and the consequent flooding of many salt marshes. In, 

 the anti-mosquito measures carried out, old ditches in various locahties 

 were maintained and a new ditch cut in one district. A portion of 

 West River was oiled to destroy larvae of Culex pipiens. Surveys of 

 several districts were made with a view to carrying out control 

 measures. 



BuTTRiCK (P. L.). Report on a Mosquito Survey at the Mouth of the 

 Connecticut River. — Rept. Connecticut Agric. Expt. Sta., 1915, 

 New Haven, 1916, pp. 144-172, 1 map. [Received 12th April 

 1916.] 



Four classes of marshes are distinguished in the area surveyed : 

 (1) Areas covered with Zizania aquatica (wild rice), which do not breed 

 mosquitos ; (2) so-called sedge grass marshes, flooded at certain tides, 

 in which breeding is abundant ; (3) marshes less frequently flooded 

 and at a higher level than the preceding, where breeding is also less 

 rapid ; (4) areas further from the shore, rarely flooded by salt water 

 but more frequently by fresh water ; this type only forms a casual 

 breeding place of either fresh or salt water forms. The commonest 

 mosquito is Ochlerotatus {Aedes) sollicitans, Walk., breeding in salt 

 marshes. The eggs are laid on the mud of the marsh ; they hatch 

 when covered with water, and adults emerge in about a week under 

 warm conditions. They then invade the uplands, often flying for 

 several miles. Ordinarily, the marshes are flooded once or twice a 

 month ; as a result, one or two broods of mosquitos are produced 

 monthly. The date of emergence can be predicted in certain parts,, 

 but where conditions are complicated by the rise and fall of the river, 

 the time of flooding is irregular. 



Breeding of 0. sollicitans can be prevented by a system of drainage 

 by which flood water is not allowed to stand on the marsh. Such a 

 system requires a clear outlet, a main drainage course, and a system of 

 parallel ditches from 10 to 18 inches wide and from 24 to 36 inches deep 

 cut at distances varying from 100 to 300 feet apart, at right angles to 

 the main course. The ditches should have straight sides and should 

 be cleaned each spring and inspected at intervals during the breeding 

 season. Besides ehminating mosquitos, ditching has the effect of 

 increasing the hay yield of the area drained. The estimated cost of 

 ehminating all salt marsh and the more important fresh water breeding 

 areas in the region of this survey is about £3,800. The paper concludes, 

 A\dth a detailed description of individual breeding areas in the region, 

 under consideration. 



