86 THE CO.MMOX MOSnL'lTOES OF MINNESOTA 



scales on the eighth alKlominal segnient numl^er twelve, in an 

 irregular row. each scale being- elongate, with fine hairs on the 

 edges and no apical spine. The breathing tube is three to four 

 times as long as broad ; each row of spines on the tul)e consisting 

 of twelve to sixteen spines, each with one large tooth and one to 

 four small ones l^elow it, near the base of the spine. This is one 

 of the commonest and most abundant of the early spring mosc^uitoes 

 in northern Minnesota. 



Adults have been taken at Clear River, Roseau County. Minne- 

 sota, 15 June, 1914. 



Aedes abfitchii Felt and Young — The Large Meadow Mosquito. 



This is a large, light to dark brown mosf|uito, found in the spring 

 and early summer. The wings are heavily scaled, the anterior 

 margin being nearly black with slight flecking with white scales. 

 The thorax is covered with golden brown scales, with a narrow 

 line of light, cream-colored scales on each side and close to the 

 median line and forming" a dense blotch at the posterior edge of 

 the thorax. The abdomen bears a white or creainy band on the 

 base of each segment ; these widening out on the sides. The femora 

 and tibiae of the legs are creamy, speckled with black ; the tarsal 

 segments have each a wide, creamy band at the l:)ase. 



The larvae are found in grassy pools and bogs, associated with 

 those of the other early spring breeding mosquitoes. The winter 

 is passed in the egg stage, the larvae appearing very earlv in the 

 spring. The adults are not often seen in Minnesota after the end 

 of July. The larvae are fond of hiding under overhanging grass 

 on the edges of the pools and for that reason may not be readily 

 noticed. They bear the tuft of hairs on the antennae below the 

 middle point. The scales on the eighth abdominal segment are 

 twenty-four to thirty in number, arranged in three more or less 

 regular rows ; each scale bears a long, apical spine one-half to two- 

 tl:irds the length of the entire scale, and also a row of stout spines 

 on each side. The breathing tube is about five times as long as 

 wide ; the rows of si)ines are closely set except the terminal two 

 which are far apart and some distance from the end of the row. 



We have taken this species at Clear River, Roseau County, 

 June 15, 1914; McGregor. Aitkin County, June 16, 1^)16, and at 

 Frazee May 26, 1914. It is one of the abundant early spring forms 

 of our northern counties. 



