CHAPTER III 



HOW FAR MOSQUITOES FLY 



BECAUSE of the existence of an almost univer- 

 sal belief in the migratory propensities of mos- 

 quitoes in general, the question propounded in the 

 heading of this section becomes one of the greatest 

 importance. The application of remedial measures 

 will not receive the hearty approval and co-operation 

 absolutely essential to the attainment of the maxi- 

 mum of efficiency, unless it can be demonstrated 

 that the majority of the species under consideration 

 do not normally wing themselves for any consider- 

 able distance. The belief that they do so is so 

 deeply rooted in the public mind, that its eradica- 

 tion will require plentiful testimony to the contrary. 

 The mass of evidence by experts is to the effect 

 that the greater number of species are not in the 

 habit of flying more than from two hundred yards to 

 a quarter of a mile, and that most places, not situated 

 near a salt marsh, will be found to be locally in- 

 fested. If there is water available for the laying of 

 the eggs near the place of emergence, and especially 

 if there are warm-blooded animals near by, there is 

 no incentive for migration. Their home-staying 

 propensities are illustrated by the fact that ships 

 moored perhaps a quarter of a mile from the shore 



43 



