178 



MOSQ I r IT() ERA DICA TION 





spawning season lasts until late summer, the yearlings starting 

 after the elder ones finish. When cold weather comes, the 

 killifish return to deep water. 



Young killifish only a few months old have been known to 

 devour large numbers of mosquito larvae. Adults have devoured 

 as many as 25 larvae in succession. Stomach examinations 



dti^b 



Fig. 122. — Fundulus majalis; male above, female between and young below. 

 (From Jordan and Evermann, Bull. 47, U. S. National Mxiseum.) 



have also revealed adult mosquitoes. This killifish is also an 

 important enemy of the green-headed fly. 



Like Gambusia, Fundulus heteroclitus is equally at home in 

 salt, fresh or stagnant water. It is found in the most insignifi- 

 cant pools and ditches, and has been known to push its way over 

 places where there is barely enough water to cover its back. 



