398 



SCIENCE OF HOME AND COMMUNITY 



2. LIFE HISTORY OF MOSQUITOES 



In order that remedies looking toward the extermination 

 of the mosquito shall be applied intelligently and success- 

 fully, it is necessary to know the life history and habits of 

 the mosquito. The life histories of all kinds of mosquitoes 



are quite similar. 

 The following expla- 

 nation refers to the 

 common mosquito, 

 Culex. 



The mosquito in 

 its development 

 passes through the 

 four stages of egg, 

 larva, pupa, and 

 adult. A few adult 

 mosquitoes pass the 

 winter in buildings, 

 cellars, and other 

 sheltered localities. 

 In the spring the 

 process of egg-laying 

 begins, and eggs may 

 be found all during 

 the summer until 

 the cold fall days. 

 They are laid on 

 water in little boat- 

 like masses which 

 float upon the surface. Under favorable conditions these 

 hatch on the same day. The larvae grow rapidly, feeding 

 upon minute organisms. When at rest the larvae hang head 

 downwards with the tip of the abdomen, which contains the 

 breathing tube, thrust to the surface of the water where air 



Cu/ex Anophe/es (Ma/aria/j 



FIG. 157. Life history of common mosquito 

 (Culex) at left and of malarial mosquito (Anoph- 

 eles) at right. Notice how they differ in each 

 stage. 



