22 Mosquitoes 



They conceal themselves in closets, back of the head 

 of the bed or the bureau, and under the furniture. 

 The author has frequently chased them from behind 

 and beneath the bed when they could be found no- 

 where else in the room. Speaking of their preferring 

 to sit on dark wood, Dr. Smith records that sollici- 

 tans appears to be attracted to black clothing rather 

 than to gray or light brown. We have noted this 

 also with other species. Pearse says that mosquitoes 

 much prefer dark blue and violet to yellow and red. 

 The underside of the foliage of vines or broad-leaved 

 plants affords a cool refuge. Mr. Pergande finds that 

 they hide and breed in the sewer traps. Lieutenant- 

 Colonel Giles speaks of Anopheles as having a particu- 

 lar fondness for suspending themselves on the lower 

 side of tables and as preferring this face of any hori- 

 zontal object. All mosquitoes like dark, poorly aired 

 rooms, viaducts, stone archways, box privies, stables, 

 and damp, bad-smelling places in general. 



Some mosquitoes will be found only near dwell- 

 ings, others in bush or meadow, others in salt marsh 

 or swamp, still others dwell in the woods. Anopheles 

 seems to be the most cosmopolitan in selection of 

 habitat. 



" Gnats " and mosquitoes are often confused, but 

 the distinction is easily made, as the gnats have not 

 a conspicuous proboscis like the mosquitoes. More- 

 over, the latter have a habit of sitting with the hind 

 legs held in the air. This custom is evidently for 

 protection — any object approaching from behind will 

 be felt, probably before it actually touches the legs, 

 and the insect will thus have a chance to escape. 



