214, THE MOSQUITOES OF NEW JERSEY 



narrow blue line down center of dorsal surface. Abdomen narrowly 

 banded at apex of some of segments. Wings unspotted. 



DESCRIPTION OF THE ADULT 



Very small, measuring 2.5-3 mm. (.10-.12 inch) in length, with beak 

 almost two-thirds length of body. Head black, with patch of metallic 

 blue scales in angle formed by eyes, often patches of similar ones on 

 posterior edge of eyes, which join anterior patch; palpi alike in both 

 sexes, short and two- jointed, apical joint with long bristles; proboscis 

 brownish, hairy, and swollen at tip. Antennae in female pilose, brown, 

 with large basal joint yellow; in male plumose, dark brown, with paler 

 plumes. 



Thorax brown, has many long, black, curved bristles ; median narrow 

 line of metallic blue scales extends whole length of mesonotum, not quite 

 reaching anterior margin, short, blue, curved line slightly anterior of 

 each wing. Patagia wholly covered with blue scales, appear as lobes 

 from above. Pleura light brown, with two small patches of blue scales, 

 very often connected. Legs jet black, appearing dark blue in some 

 lights, whitish on under side of femora, with large white dot at apex of 

 femora and tibiae, which have delicate tinge of blue. Claws of anterior 

 tarsal joint of male equal, outer half sharply curved at right angles to 

 base, middle tarsal joint has single long curved claw set in joint below 

 apex, posterior same as those of anterior, but smaller. Claws of female 

 same as in male, except that middle are like anterior. 



Abdomen dark brown above, paler beneath, with whitish apical bands 

 on dorsal surface prolonged forward in middle on some of segments, 

 largest on segments three and five in all specimens examined. 



HABITS OF THE ADULT 



There is no record or evidence that it has bitten or can bite. It 

 occurs, probably, throughout the state. The dates are always after 

 midsummer. 



There is absolutely no chance of mistaking this little species when it 

 can be seen under a sufficient magnification to bring out the sapphire 

 blue scales and lines on the sides and top of the thorax. 



How the winter is passed, we do not know ; but it would seem as if this 

 were a species that might live over in the adult stage. The eggs, forming 

 a floating mass on the surface of permanent water bodies, are not well 

 adapted to live through in that shape, the larvae have never been found 

 in winter and their surface habit opposes the suggestion that they could 

 withstand the rigors of winter. 



