64 THE MOSQUITOES OF NEW JERSEY 



is probable that the middle of May is about the date of their first ap- 

 pearance. They increase in numbers as the season advances and con- 

 tinue until late October. Ordinarily they are found in tolerably clean 

 water and when in company with the stumpy-tailed wrigglers of the 

 other marsh species, they are readily recognized. 



HOUSEHOLD GROUP 

 [The notable members of the household group are Culex pipiens and 

 Culex territans. Members of these species pass the winter in the adult 

 form in sheltered places. They lay their eggs in boat-like masses on the 

 surface of either fresh or polluted water. Their flight range is limited, 

 two and one-half miles being the greatest distance accurately recorded 

 for pipiens, and that only when breeding intensively over a large area.] 



Culex pipiens Linnaeus 

 The House Mosquito 



DISTRIBUTION AND CHAKACTEKIZATION 

 [Northern hemisphere, but not in extreme north ; in North America, 



the northern Atlantic Coast region, westward through Illinois ; in 



Europe and probably temperate Asia. Trapped 323,041 females in 



New Jersey.] 



Small or medium ; brown or yellowish, rather narrow, but well defined 



white bands at base of abdominal segments ; legs and beak unhanded, 



wings unspotted. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE ADULT 



Medium size, though small individuals common. Ranges from 4-51/2 

 mm. (.16— .22 inch) long, exclusive of beak, which is about half length of 

 body. Wings expand 7-10 mm., according to size of insect. Head behind 

 large black eyes brown, with few yelloAvish scales, distinct yellow border 

 to eyes ; beak brown, darker toward apex, somewhat thicker and shorter 

 in male than female. Palpi in female fuscous grayish at extreme apex, 

 apparently three- jointed, the terminal one pointed and wholly retracted 

 within third joint ; antennae dark brown. In male antennae ochraceous 

 brown, palpi same color, whitish beneath at bases of two apical joints ; 

 as in Theobaldia melanurus not dilated, but two terminal joints com- 

 paratively much longer; basal joint shorter. 



Thorax brown, many golden brown scales scattered over surface. 

 When partially denuded, ridged, giving impression of dusky longi- 

 tudinal lines. 



