206 THE MOSQUITOES OF NEW JERSEY 



Abdominal segment one has lateral tufts of six to eight hairs each, 

 segment two, single tuft of four hairs, segment three single tuft of three 

 hairs, segments four and five single tuft of two hairs each, segment six 

 no lateral tuft, and segment seven single lateral tuft. Eighth segment 

 prolonged upward on dorsal part to receive odd-shaped base of siphon. 

 Lateral combs consist of from five to eight scales, arranged in form of 

 arc on separate band, fringe-like. Individual scale oblong, with three 

 stout spines directed downward, central one very much longer than 

 other two, sides also fringed with spines. Anal siphon very small, three 

 times as long as broad in its greatest length, with two small, curved 

 spines at apex; siphonal tuft exceptionally large, consists of from six 

 to eight hairs. From five to eight spines in each lateral row, all with two 

 or three long teeth. Ninth segment transversely oblong, widest at dorsal 

 part, with usual double tuft of hairs. Barred area of ventral part small, 

 has only three or four tufts of long hair and row of very short tufts. 

 Anal gills long, twice as long as siphon, and provided with obvious 

 tracheae. 



HABITS OF THE LARVA 



The larvae, received first at the laboratory on June 20, 1903, at- 

 tracted attention first by their unusually prominent, white antennae ; 

 second, by the very long anal gills ; third, by the habit of resting on the 

 bottom, back down, antennae pointing upward and mouth brushes kept 

 in constant motion. Pupae were formed June 23 and 24, and on the 

 twenty-seventh and twenty-eighth adults emerged, a pupal period of 

 four days. The larvae are rare, and remain below the surface, feeding at 

 or near the bottom. 



Psorophora ferox Humbolt 

 The Big Woods Mosquito 



DISTRIBUTION AND CHARACTERIZATION 



[Southern Canada south through eastern United States, Mexico, 

 Central America, South America, and West Indies. Trapped twenty fe- 

 males in New Jersey.] 



Rather large or medium sized, black with deep purple sheen. Beak 

 and legs black, hind legs heavily scaled, last two tarsal joints and part 

 of preceding one white. Thorax with pale yellowish scales scattered over 

 black background, abdomen unhanded. Very characteristic mosquito, 

 recognized at glance by metallic purple sheen and white hind feet- 



