202 THE MOSQUITOES OF NEW JERSEY 



a time maintain it; but when nearly mature the larvae takes the hori- 

 zontal position upon rising to the surface, maintain it for a few mo- 

 ments only and then drop back to the normal Cvlex position. As to 

 the oviposition, I believe that Professor Herrick is right: the eggs 

 are laid on the moist mud very close to the edge of a pool or in the bed 

 of an old pool itself, and there they remain until stimulated to develop- 

 ment by a water covering, 



Psorophora discolor Coquillet 

 The Mottled Mosquito 



DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERIZATION 



[Southern United States to Southern Mexico. No specimens trapped 

 in New Jersey.] 



Yellowish brown, rather small, legs and beak banded, the abdomen 

 mottled brown and yellowish white, wings spotted. Only New Jersey 

 species in which this combination occurs ; very easily recognized. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE ADULT 



Medium or small, not very robust in appearance. From 4-6 mm. 

 (,16-.24 inch) long, excluding beak. Latter short, thick, excavated 

 centrally, about one-third length of body, apical third black, central 

 portion white, gradually merging into black at base. Sometimes white 

 extends almost to head. Across wings averages about 9 mm. (.36 inch). 

 Eyes meet on top of head and occupy whole anterior part. Occiput 

 covered with yellowish scales. Palpi in female four- jointed, rather 

 broad, terminal segment reduced to extremely small circular knob, set 

 with hairs not as long as is usual. Palpi in male three- jointed, basal 

 joint only slightly longer than two terminal ones together; fan-like 

 tufts toward tip brownish black. Antennae of male plumose, brown, 

 with usual cup-shaped segments and circle of fine hair. In female an- 

 tennae shorter than beak, composed of twelve short segments. 



Thorax dark brown, dorsum irregularly striped with yellow scales. 

 Femora with mixed black and yellow scales above, wholly yellow be- 

 neath, anterior and posterior ones with pale oblique band near apex, 

 almost obsolete in some specimens ; middle femora usually without band ; 

 when present very inconspicuous. Posterior part of anterior and mid- 

 dle tibiae, and anterior part of hind tibiae almost wholly with yellow 

 scales. First tarsal joint with many yellow scales to about one-third 

 from apex, then wholly black; remaining tarsal joints white-banded 



