MOSQUITO BIOLOGY 209 



her; she rose hastily about four inches and immediately descended on 

 the same spot ; nine times was this repeated, the insect each time rising 

 four or five inches and alighting within half an inch of the same spot; 

 the tenth time she moved about two inches and I let her get a good bite, 

 then disturbed her in the same way. As fast as I could remove my finger 

 she was back again and only lost heart at the nineteenth time when she 

 flew on my clothing and was bottled." 



The testimony of the other collectors is the same, and there is no 

 doubt that this species shares with A'edes aurifer the first rank for per- 

 sistence in the mosquito tribe. 



The species is not an early one and the first outdoor captures were 

 made June 30 and as late as September 9. Some collections have been 

 recorded from New Brunswick, Little Ferry, Hackensack, and Great 

 Piece Meadow. The species seems to confine itself to wooded areas ex- 

 clusively and to prefer those which are low, swampy, and cold. None of 

 the collections made indicate that it is at any time a house mosquito. 



As to the matter of hibernation nothing is really known so far as I 

 am aware. It is probable that the winter is passed in the egg stage and 

 possible that the egg may become dry at times ; but none of the other 

 species known to me as egg hibernates make so late a start in the spring 

 as this species seems to do. 



The egg laying habits have been observed by Dr. J. W. Dupree, of 

 Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and recorded by Professor H. A. Morgan. A 

 female specimen captured April 30 was permitted by Dr. Dupree to 

 feed upon his hand until fully engorged. On the morning of May 1 forty 

 eggs were found, some at the bottom of the glass containing the water, 

 while others were resting upon some fibers of cotton which had acci- 

 dentally fallen into the vessel. Dr. Dupree thinks it altogether likely 

 that the eggs, which are deposited singly, under normal conditions rest 

 upon floating debris. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE LARVA 



Full grown, measures 7-8 mm. (.28-.32 inch) in length, exclusive of 

 anal siphon, body slate gray to blackish. Young and half grown speci- 

 mens whitish to pale gray. Head large, slightly smaller than thorax, 

 widest at eyes, a little excavated immediately before antennae, rounded 

 in front ; pale yellow, usually immaculate, at times faint clouds, or dis- 

 tinct brown spot in center of vertex. Four hair tufts of two hairs each, 

 in pairs widely apart, arise from central part of vertex, a larger one of 

 five or six hairs at base of each antenna. Antenna very long and slender, 

 sharply curved a little below middle and tapered evenly toward apex ; 



