70 NOTES ON THE " SCOTS GRAY " MOSQUITO 



carry the animalculfe and much vegetable debris with them. 

 In order to prevent the fine teeth from becoming clogged, a pair 

 of mandibles, one of which is seen in fig. 6, are hinged to the 

 lower corner of the mouth. These organs resemble the large 

 claw of a crab. They are tipped by several powerful teeth, also 

 several strong bristles stretched out like the fingers of a hand. 

 These are placed so that they can sweep through the brushes 

 as they are withdrawn from the mouth, and also retain the 

 food before it is swallowed. In the next picture (fig. 7) 

 the mentum or chin is seen in the centre. It is armed with a 

 formidable row of teeth, one side only being in view. They 

 project upwards and outwards. At the sides are the 

 mandibles. Like the claws of a crab they can approach each 

 other so as to interlock. Below them are a pair of organs of 

 the shape of carving knives, with deeply serrated edges, so that 

 they resemble miniature cross-cut saws. The whole forms a 

 formidable armature for the mouth. When the common larvae 

 are feeding their brushes are in continuous exercise, but it is 

 not so with this species. They lie along the cheeks, and are 

 only occasionally used. The length of time occupied by the 

 larval stage varies with atmospheric conditions, and I have not 

 been able to rear them in sufficient numbers to form an ccurate 

 opinion. A second moult occurs when they attain their full 

 larval growth. 



The Pupa 



is the next stage. It is seen in fig. 8, and does not dijBfer much 

 except in size from that of the common mosquito. In ita 

 interior the body of the insect is completed, and this occupies 

 about five days. Fig. 9 is interesting, as it represents a thin 

 section cut right through the pupa, where the parts of the insect 

 are seen as they lie before it breaks through the pupa skin. 



The male and female insects differ from each other mostly 

 in the shape of the appendages of the head. The male is rarely 

 seen in human habitations in this district. I have only known 

 of one instance this year, when Mr. Colclough, of Wynnum, sent 

 me a specimen which had been attracted to his breakfast table. 

 But the females have been caught in large numbers. 



