178 THE MOSQUITOES OF NEW JERSEY 



inal segment short, posterior ones elongated; lateral tufts of first two 

 segments multiple, a single long hair on third to sixth, not shorter 

 posteriorly, very short on seventh segment. Thracheal tubes narrow, 

 linear, angled in the eighth segment. Air-tube long, slender, straight, 

 scarcely tapered, about six times as long as wide ; pecten of few teeth 

 on basal fourth, the single teeth a short spine with very broad base 

 and four long basal spines ; no hairs on the tube. Lateral comb of 

 eighth segment of numerous scales in a very large triangular patch, 

 the single scales with broadly expanded apex fringed with short spines. 

 Anal segment nearly twice as long as wide, ringed by the plate ; dorsal 

 hairs a tuft and long hair on each side ; a single lateral hair ; ventral 

 brush well developed, preceded by a row of short tufts along the ven- 

 tral line to the base and arising from little holes in the chitin. Anal 

 gills slender, about as long as the segment, pointed. 



"The larvae occur in cold springs or bogs early in the season, al- 

 ways in small numbers. There is but one annual generation, the larvae 

 hatching with the melting of the snow and maturing early. The egg 

 is unknown, but probably is deposited singly, and the late summer and 

 all winter passed in this stage. The adult is rare, only single specimens 

 being taken, so that its habits are unknown." 



Theobaldia melanurus Coquillet 

 The Black-Tailed Mosquito 



DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERIZATION 



[Eastern United States from Canada to the Gulf of Mexico. It is 

 rare and local. In New Jersey 1,287 specimens have been trapped.] 



Rather small, dark brown, legs and beak unhanded. Wings un- 

 spotted, segments of abdomen have merest indications of white bands 

 at base. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE ADULT 



Could easily be taken for C. pipiens, especially if latter were worn 

 so as to render banding obscure ; however, smaller and of richer brown 

 color. Body, exclusive of beak, measures 4-5 mm. (.16-20 inch) long, 

 beak three-fifths length of body; average width across wing about 8 

 mm., or .32 inch. Large black eyes cover anterior part of head; oc- 

 ciput is covered with white scales. Palpi in female short, four-jointed 

 and set with rather long hair; terminal joint reduced to extremely 

 small circular knob, slightly retracted within third joint. Male palpi 



