68 THE MOSQUITOES OF NEW JERSEY 



as opportunities for breeding present themselves. Some localities that 

 are usually quite free may, after a week or two of showery weather, 

 become seriously infested. 



Next to the salt marsh species this is the most offensive mosquito in 

 the state ; in many parts of the state it is the only troublesome species. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE LARVA 



When full grown, 7-8 mm. (.28-.32 inch) long, exclusive of anal 

 siphon. Very transparent, pale yellowish and usually attains faint shade 

 of color of food eaten. Newly hatched and medium sized larvae almost 

 white except for food matter in alimentary canal, and yellowish tinge 

 to head and anal siphon. Head transversely elliptical, full at sides and 

 pale fuscous in color; maculation on vertex slight, consists of central 

 spot and two oblong marks at sides, more or less diffused. Six tufts 

 of four or five moderately long hairs, each on dorsal part, lateral ones 

 near base of antennae. Antennae only slightly curved, completely ob- 

 scured by tuft of twenty or more long hairs arising from sharp offset 

 at outer two-thirds. Surface covered with short, spiny hairs ; apex has 

 three long bristles, a short one, and a small joint. Eyes large, two dis- 

 tinct forms — one blunt at vertex, another drawn into acute angle. 

 Hairs of rotary mouth brushes simple. Mentum pentagonal, with nine 

 or eleven teeth on each side of apex ; some variation, chiefly in length 

 from base to apex, and consequent slope of sides. For mandible see Fig. 

 XXII. Maxillary palpus oval with a long apical tuft and patches of 

 short hair on surface. Basal joint small, crowned with small spines at 

 apex. 



Thorax in full grown larvae rounder, broader than long, scarcely 

 any angulations. In central part of anterior margin two tufts long 

 hair extend forward over head ; between these and lateral tufts another 

 smaller one. Few single hairs of first lateral tuft also encroach upon 

 anterior margin. In small larvae thorax not so robust ; lateral angles 

 much better marked. Abdominal segments from one to seven have lateral 

 tufts of two hairs each, except two anterior, which have four or five 

 hairs each; pairs of smaller and finer hairs scattered over dorsal sur- 

 face. Eighth segment has lateral patches of from thirty-five to forty 

 small scales. Individual scales with long fringes at sides and apex. 

 Anal siphon pale brown, about four times as long as broad, tapered on 

 terminal half. Two rows of spines from twelve to fifteen in each series ; 

 number of hairs arranged in pairs. Single spines pale brown, broad at 

 base, with three or four long teeth. Ninth segment completely covered 

 with chitinized saddle; double dorsal tuft of long hairs only. Ventral 



