i68 



STEGOMYIA FASCIATA 



[CH. 



The male is darker than the female. The head is black with white scales 

 in front and in the middle. The antennae are brown, marked with paler 

 bands, sometimes almost white. The proboscis and palps are black, the 

 latter possessing four white basal bands. The thorax is marked in the same 

 way as the female, but the scales are more silvery and the markings more 

 distinct. 



The first segment of the abdomen is covered with cream-coloured scales, 

 the bases of the second to the fifth with white, and the fifth to the eighth have 

 clear white lateral spots. The latter also occur on the sides of the anterior 

 segments. 



The claws of the fore-legs are unequal, the larger one being toothed and 

 the smaller, simple ; those of the mid-legs are simple, and unequal ; the hind 

 claws are equal and simple. 



The genital armature is of the usual form. 



The length is 3*0 mm. to 4^5 mm. 



Fig. 47. Stegomyia fasciata, adult male; enlarged. (After Howard.) 



Habitat. This is one of the commonest species of mosquitoes 

 and is widely distributed throughout almost all tropical and 

 subtropical regions. Although sometimes occurring in tem- 

 perate countries it is essentially a tropical species, for below a 

 temperature of 23 C. the female refuses to feed and at 20 C. 

 loses all activity and will not oviposit. The most favourable 

 climatic condition for its development is a humid atmo- 

 sphere, at a temperature of 25-30 C. all the year round. 



