80 THE MOSQUITOES OF NEW JERSEY 



Mansonia perturbans Walker 

 The Irritating Mosquito 



DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERIZATION 



[North America from Canada to Florida and westward in the tim- 

 bered country to British Columbia. Trapped 23,730 females in New 

 Jersey.] 



Another large species, with tarsi broadly white-banded at base of 

 joints and ring of same color in center of first joint. Beak white-ringed 

 in center and abdomen with indistinct, narrow bands of white at base of 

 segments. General brown color and large size, together with exception- 

 ally broad bands of legs, make it very conspicuous and easily recog- 

 nizable. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE ADULT 



Large, brown, measuring from 5.5-6.5 mm. (.22— .26 inch) long, ex- 

 clusive of beak, which is 2.5 mm. long. Head brown, with numerous 

 creamy scales over surface, extending between eyes ; and some black 

 scales in posterior part directed backwards. Proboscis dark brown with 

 yellowish central band. Palpi in female normal in shape, deep brown, 

 with some yellowish scales; terminal joint very small, rounded, with 

 three or four long bristles. In male palpi only slightly dilated, first two 

 joints together as long as proboscis, third joint same length as central. 

 Basal joint has mixed black and white scales ; terminal two joints black- 

 ish, white at bases. Fan-like tufts dark brown. Antennae of both sexes 

 dark brown, plumes of male fuscous. 



Thorax chestnut brown, with numerous yellowish scales over surface, 

 often forming irregular stripes. Pleura brown, with very few dirty 

 white scales in small patches. Femora have mixed black and yellow 

 scales, fewer beneath and at base, with black ring near apex and white 

 knee spot. Tibiae of posterior legs dark brown, almost black, with broad 

 white ring short distance from apex and narrow white rings at base ; 

 anterior and middle tibiae may have indistinct bands ; usually covered 

 with black and whitish scales collected into spots and patches, some- 

 times forming two or more narrow, broken bands ; apices black. Tarsi 

 black, with broad, pure white bands at the base of joints ; whitish ring 

 at center of first joint. Claws of anterior and middle tarsal joints of 

 male alike, each with long claw having median and basal tooth, and 

 small simple claw. Posterior claws equal and simple. In female alike on 



