REPORT ON MOSQUITOES. 259 



plate, but are not joined to it. They consist each of two rows 

 of scales : the first with from fifteen to twenty-one greatly elon- 

 gated ones, fringed laterally at the basal half with fine hair, the 

 longest scales toward the venter; the second with six or seven 

 scales, their apices extending between those of the anterior row. 

 The individual scales of this row are much longer than any of 

 those of the first and are constricted at about one-third from the 

 base; sides fringed as in the others. A small lateral plate is 

 between the combs and the posterior margin of the segment. The 

 anal siphon is about three times as long as wide, almost black 

 in color and evenly tapered toward the apex. It is without 

 lateral rows of spines, but has a hair tuft at about the middle. 

 The ninth segment is small, with an oblique posterior margin; 

 the double dorsal tuft and ventral brush are normal, the latter 

 confined to the barred area. The anal gills are short, about 

 three times as long as broad. 



Habits of tJie Early Stages. 



Nothing is known of the Q.gg laying habits of this species, but 

 the indications are that oviposition is on the surface or at the 

 edges near the surface. The larva is sO' characteristic and so 

 unlike the other species of Culex that there should be no difficulty 

 in recognizing it. Mr. Seal writes: "Stegomyia signifera made 

 its appearance in small numbers among Culex piingens in much 

 larger numbers. This occurred in a tub of rather foul water 

 sitting under an apple tree in a chicken yard. There were three 

 developments of this species, all in the same place, although there 

 were over twenty other tubs of water nearby." The occurrence 

 with pimgens in a tub indicates a. surf ace oviposition. Although 

 •I have had pails with water of almost all degrees of foulness 

 exposed in my back yard, I never found even a single representa- 

 tion of this species. 



Harold Marsh found them near Chester in a tree hollow Sep- 

 tember 5th, in company with triseriatus, and again October 3(1. 

 They were fully mature in both cases, and of the September lot 

 some were already in the pupal stage, most of the adults appear- 

 ing within a week. The water in which these larvae were found 

 was not notably foul. It may be that these pools in decaying 

 trees are the more usual breedint^- places and that the eggs are laid 

 something like those of triseriatus. At all events several broods 

 are indicated. 



