112 N. J. ACRICULTUKAL EXPERIMENT STATION, BULLETIN 348 



Acdcs ctDiadeiisis Theob. is perhaps the most important member 

 of the group. It is followed closely by Acdcs stiinulans Wlk. and 

 Acdcs abfichii Felt. 



The Woodland- Pool Mosquito 



{Aedcs canadensis Theob.) 



Recognition Marks 



This mosquito has a white band at the base and tip of each tar- 

 sal segment except the last, the whole of which is white. Its beak 

 is black, its thorax brown without bands, and its wings are un- 

 spotted. 



The medium-sized larva ranges from light in its younger stages 

 to dirty slate gray at maturity. Until two-thirds grown, the wriggler 

 shows a characteristic transverse pale band at the neck. The head is 

 usually very dark in color, almost black. The unmarked antennae 

 arise from the sides of the anterior part of the head. The 25 to 

 50 scales, which decorate each side of the eighth segment, are sep- 

 arate and elongated. The breathing tube is 2^ to 3}^ times as 

 long as broad, only the terminal segment has a dorsal plate or ring. 

 Three other comparatively rare species so closely resemble A. 

 candensis that where doubt exists the tables must be used to dis- 

 tinguish. 



Importance 



None of the woodland species have been very important until re- 

 cent years, because comparatively few dwellings were placed within 

 their reach. However, in the process of providing country homes, 

 commuters have built many dwellings in reach of this species, and its 

 ability to trouble the occupants has caused it to assume far greater 

 importance than was formerly accorded to it. 



Life Habits 



The winter is passed in the egg stage, and hatching occurs very 

 early (in some cases during the early part of February). The young 

 larvae escape freezing by burying themselves in the mud. Hiber- 

 nating eggs appear to hatch between February i and May 10. Of 

 the eggs laid in May, a fair percentage hatch in June and give a sec- 

 ond brood. When this brood produces eggs, a portion develops the 



