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Iyengar (M. 0. T.). A Preliminary Note on New Thoracic Appendages 



in Anopheline Larvae. — Rept. Proc 4th Ent. Meeting, Pusa, 

 February 1921, Calcutta, 1921, pp. 216-218, 1 plate. 



A paired contractile appendage has been observed on the dorsal 

 anterior region of the thorax of Anopheles larvae, the structure, 

 position and movement being described in this paper. The 10 Indian 

 species oi Anopheles that have been examined all have these appendages, 

 and also A. maculipennis and A. bifurcatus from England. Other 

 Culicids that have been studied, such as Culex, Stegomyia, Armigeres 

 and Toxorhynchites spp., show no trace of them, so that it seems 

 probable that they are characteristic of AnopheUne larvae. Further 

 work is being done on the anatomy, homology and function of these 

 appendages, which are not yet understood. They have not been 

 observed before the second instar. 



Fletcher (T. B.). Traps for Mosquitos. — Rept. Proc. 4th Ent. 

 Meeting, Piisa, February 1921, Calcutta, 1921, pp 219-221, 

 2 plates. 



The fact that mosquitos hide during the daytime in dark situations 

 has suggested some methods of utilising this habit to trap and destroy 

 them. The Watson trap is described, and also an improved type 

 designed by the author. In this a wooden skeleton of a box with 

 a hinged lid is covered all over with mosquito netting. This skeleton 

 box is contained inside an open-topped wooden box painted black 

 inside. At night the hinged top of the inner box is left open, and in 

 the morning, when the mosquitos have settled down, the hinged hd 

 is closed and fastened. The mosquitos within can easily be killed by 

 setting the inner box on the bare ground in blazing sunshine, which 

 will kill them in a few minutes. When the air is damp, this is not 

 so successful, but ants will quickly get inside the box and devour 

 the inmates. In very wet weather a little benzine or petrol might be 

 poured into the double box and the fumes kept in with a piece of 

 cardboard. 



An obvious improvement on this would be a mechanical trap 

 requiring only occasional attention. This has been tried by placing 

 sloping glass slips in a dark box in such a position that the mosquitos 

 readily enter but cannot find their way out again. This type has not 

 as yet given much success, but it is hoped to perfect it. Dark blue 

 may prove a more attractive colour than black. 



Fletcher (T. B.) & Senior-White (R. A). Surra and Biting Flies : a 



Review. — Rept. Proc. 4th Ent. Meeting, Pusa, February 1921, 

 Calcutta, 1921, pp. 222-235, 1 map. 

 Having collected a mass of scattered papers for the purpose of 

 preparing a report on the present situation with regard to surra for 

 the Surra Committee appointed b}^ the Government, the authors 

 here give a resume of what is actually known and what has actually 

 been done on this subject, which is an important one, especially in 

 north India. The work of many investigators is briefly reviewed. 

 Much still requires to be done on the question of surra in India, definite 

 knowledge being needed regarding the biting flies concerned and the 

 normal method of transmission of the disease. Present knowledge 

 of Indian Tabanids is very defective ; a thorough survey of these 

 and other biting flies is requisite, and an adequate staff of regular 

 workers would be necessary to carry the work out thoroughly. 



