66 THE MOSQUITOES OF NEW JERSEY 



Femora brown, becoming darker distally until, at apex, distinct 

 white spot ; pale yellow beneath. Tibiae dark brown, paler beneath, with 

 ochraceous spot at extreme apex. Tarsi blackish brown entire length. 

 Claws of anterior and mid-tarsal joints of male one-toothed, the longer 

 with median tooth, shorter with basal tooth. Posterior claws of male 

 and all those of female simple, of equal length and sharply curved. 



Abdomen blackish brown, with yellowish, moderate or narrow bands 

 at the base of segments. In female, bands narrower laterally and well 

 defined, especially in anterior segments. In male, become very wide close 

 to lateral borders, apical segment often wholly yellowish. Not so well 

 defined in male as in female. Beneath abdomen yellowish brown. 



Range of size variation considerable, in color very decided. In pines 

 of South Jersey specimens often almost rusty red, large, suggesting 

 different species. Late in season small, almost blackish form at New 

 Brunswick ; equally as vicious as larger forms. This mosquito best dis- 

 tinguished by having no peculiar characters. It is just the common 

 every day brown mosquito that gets into our rooms and bothers us at 

 night. If it has any peculiarity at all it is that it usually has a leaner 

 and more hungry appearance than most. 



HABITS OF THE ADULT 



The term "house mosquito" is expressive of the most objectionable 

 habit of the species — its persistent effort to get indoors. Other species 

 of Culex will get into houses through open doors or windows, or on the 

 clothing of persons coming in ; but pipiens actually works its way in 

 through crevices, around windows and even through screens. It comes 

 indoors because it wants to and not necessarily in search of food. This 

 is the species for which the term pungens is employed in some earlier 

 writings. Recent study has developed the fact that our species is identi- 

 cal with the common European species and the older name takes pri- 

 ority. Dr. Howard has, indeed suggested that this may be an importa- 

 tion from some European country. 



It winters in the adult stage, and almost any place will serve, pro- 

 vided it is dark and sheltered from direct winds. Barns, cellars, and the 

 ordinary outbuildings are favorite localities. Hibernation begins long 

 before breeding ends and some specimens of the early September de- 

 velopments go into retreat, to be joined by ever-increasing numbers 

 from every succeeding brood. It has been indicated that only females 

 hibernate, and these are impregnated before retiring ; but they take no 

 food, depending upon the stored products accumulated in the larval 

 stage. 



